[2][3] She attended Middle Tennessee State University.
[5] In 1998, Barrett unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Representative Mary Ann Eckles for the 49th District House Seat, receiving 48% of the vote.
In 2000, she ran a successful campaign against Mary Ann Eckles.
She also served on the powerful Fiscal Review Committee, overseeing government spending for the state.
In 2005 she was awarded the "Taxpayer Hero Award" by Tennessee Tax Revolt, Inc.[6] In April 2010, she was one of five persons added to the governing body of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR).