Bauman, along with MTI Executive Director John Matthews, led a two-week strike commencing January 5, 1976.
[3] Two years later, Bauman left teaching and pursued a Juris Doctor degree, graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1981.
After serving for twelve years as an Alderperson on the Madison City Council, Bauman was elected Mayor on April 1, 1997 to fill the unexpired term of Paul Soglin, who resigned to run for Congress.
Two years later, on April 6, 1999, Bauman was elected to a full four-year term, having defeated Eugene Parks.
On April 18, 2003, shortly after her electoral defeat, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced the appointment of Bauman to serve as a Commissioner on the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission.