Character Profiles - Bat-Family - Batwoman/Kathy Kane
Parents: Roger C. & Thelma A. Gordon (deceased);
niece and (later) adopted daughter of James W. Gordon and
Barbara Gordon (divorced)
Siblings: James, Jr. (cousin & adoptive brother)
First Appearance: As Batgirl: Detective Comics #359, January 1967
Barbara is the niece of Police Commissioner Jim Gordon. Her real mother, Thelma, died in a car accident when she was only four years old. As a result of this depression, her father Roger became a serious alcoholic and drank himself to his grave. Custody was awarded to James Gordon (her uncle), and Barbara moved to Gotham City at the age of 13. Barbara had a best friend named Marcy. They fantasized about becoming super-heroines one day, and "Batgirl" was one of their childhood fantasies. When they had to go their separate ways, Marcy gave Barbara a Batgirl doll she had made, and instilled the idea of a heroic identity on Barbara.
Barbara fit into the Gordon home immediately, and there was a time she forgot she had not been born into that family. Because of her father's career, she amassed an incredible knowledge on Gotham's underworld. Shortly after Barbara moved into her new home, she wnet on top the Police headquaters looking for ther "father" To her surprise, she saw Robin for the first time.  She realized she would need to do a variety of things to accomplish her goal, and with determination she began to go about accomplishing them. Eventually, she graduated from high school and went to Gotham State University. She had almost forgotten her desire to become a heroine, but still remained in shape. She eventually earned first Ku brown belts in Judo and Karate, and she also became an Olympic-level gymnast and runner. She graduated summa cum laude from Gotham State University, with a degree in Library and Information Systems. She also had a natural photographic memory, and could remember any written information she's seen. After graduating, she became the head reference librarian at Gotham Public Library. When the police had a masquerade ball, Barbara decided she would appear as Batgirl.
She told no one who she was going as, and made a costume like Marcy's dolls. On her way to the party, she observed the Killer Moth trying to kidnap Bruce Wayne. She intervened. With her knowledge of martial arts, she foiled the attempt. This allowed Bruce to get away and change to Batman. Batman showed up and demanded to know who she was. She offered to trade identities, and obviously he refused. Eventually, Batgirl played a significant role in the capture of Killer Moth. Barbara decided she liked the thrill and risk, and decided to become Batgirl as a capped crime-fighter. She modified her motorcycle, and created the Bat-cycle. Batgirl was born.
Barbara remained her guise as the head reference librarian at Gotham State University. That was until the opportunity to run for congress came along, in which Barbara jumped at the chance. Success made her a first-term congresswoman, but was defeated in her re-election bid. Her life as Batgirl simply didn't give her enough time to devote enough money to her re-election campaign.
When she returned to Gotham City, she also served as the Associate Director of Humanities Research and Development. She and Batman became closer friends and confidants over the years. They revealed the identities of each other. A gun-toting thug named Cormorant shot her and injured her enough to make her see that crime fighting wasn't as innocent as it had once seemed. She became reluctant of her heroing as his lethal leer haunted her more and more. She once again confronted him, and simultaneously a villain named Slash who killed men who escaped on crimes against women. In a bizarre fight, she tried with all of her might to stop them from killing each other, but Cormorant’s suffering wife helped Slash kill him. Barbara decided to go into semi-retirement as Batgirl, and focus more on her father...
Months after Barbara had “retired” the Joker came to her house, and bluntly shot Barbara when she opened the door. 
H
e took pictures of her bleeding body, which appealed to his sick mind. 
Although Batman stopped him, part of Barbara's spine had been shot away. Bound in a wheelchair, Barbara was upset and felt totally useless and helpless. 
Barbara’s life as Batgirl was no more…
Go to the Oracle bio to learn more about Barbara.
Parts of these bios came from:
Robin - The Unioffical Website
Bird Watching
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