Margaret Barkman

Margaret Barkman, 1924 -

Margaret graduated from Terra Alta, West Virginia High school in 1941, and the Catherman's Business School in Cumberland, Maryland in 1943.

Margaret Barkman is believed to be the first woman Congressional District Assistant in the 6th Congressional District of Maryland. She opened the District Office on January 1, 1971 when Congressman Goodloe Byron took office. Upon Congressman Byron's sudden death in 1978, she continued in this capacity under Congresswoman Beverly Byron. Margaret Barkman retired in 1989.

Margaret maintained the office and provided phone service to constituents in Allegany and Garrett Counties. She made public appearances on the Congressperson's behalf when he/she was unable to attend to meetings, dinners, public affairs, union meetings, schools, and spoke on matters of concern to organizations such as Senior Citizens and many others. She also made monthly visits to post offices, libraries, Senior Centers, and public offices to take back complaints and public concerns in both Allegany and Garrett Counties. Margaret also presented flags flown over the Capitol building on his behalf to boy scouts and other organizations on request, and presented the Goodloe Byron trophy at the fishing rodeo in Oldtown.

She attended staff meetings in Washington D.C., Frederick, and Hagerstown and was on daily conference calls from the Legislative office in D.C. to keep up to date on current legislation. She also arranged for all official district visits to both Allegany and Garrett Counties and traveled with the staff to assist with the general casework.

Margaret co-chaired Congresswoman Byron's campaign in 1992, has served as vice-president of the Allegany County Commission for Women, and is a past-president of the Allegany County Democratic Women's Club.