Catherine D. Foster ("Kay") received her B.A. in Political Science from St. Martin’s College (now University) in Olympia, Washington in 1976. Previously, she attended Western Washington University, where she was in the Honors Program.

She has an extensive background in editing and proofreading, with a number of organizations and agencies including the Washington State Supreme Court. She has edited and copyedited for BlackPast since its inception. 

Daughter of a history teacher, she is an amateur historian with a special interest in Pacific Northwest African American history, and the history of jazz. She has served on a number of boards and worked on numerous political campaigns, actively volunteering in her community.