Women in Public Service
Governor Martha Layne Collins (Shelby, b. 1936)
Collins became, to date, the only female Governor in Kentucky history in 1983. Born in Bagdad, she started as the clerk of the Supreme Court and later became Lt. Governor in 1979. As part of her emphasis on economic development, she brought the Toyota automobile plant to Georgetown.
Emma Guy Cromwell (Allen, 1869-1952)
The first woman in Kentucky to hold a statewide office, elected in 1896 as state librarian.
Mayor Karen Cunningham (Hopkins, b. 1960)
Highly respected mayor of Madisonville, she has served on many boards of directors and received awards such as Madisonville’s Woman of Achievement, 1988 and 1999.
Rep. Mary Elliott Flanery (Boyd, 1867-1933)
Became the first woman elected to the KY Legislature in 1921. Born in Catlettsburg, she worked as a teacher and a journalist for the Ashland Daily Independent.
Evelyn Kalb (Boone, b. 1926)
Kalb was the dynamic mayor of Florence from 1991-1998.
Rep. Mae Street Kidd (Bourbon, 1904-1999)
Kidd closed a dark chapter of Kentucky history by helping to pass a resolution ratifying the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution, over 100 years after slaves were freed and African Americans were made citizens of the United States. She also sponsored legislation which created the Kentucky Housing Corporation.
Juanita Morris Kreps (Harlan, b. 1921)
Held the position of U.S. Secretary of Commerce under the administration of President Jimmy Carter, the first woman to serve in this position. Read more about past Secretaries of Commerce, including Juanita Kreps at the US Department of Commerce Web site.
U.S. Rep. Katherine Gudger Langley (Pike, 1888-1948)
Held several offices during her career in public service including acting as the first chair of the Woman’s Republican State Committee and vice-chair of the Republican State Central Committee of Kentucky. She was Kentucky’s first female U.S. Representative, from 1927-1931.
Read more about Katherine Gudger Langley.
Mary Todd Lincoln (Fayette, 1818-1882)
One of the best-educated women of her era who became the First Lady of the United States from 1861 until 1865; the first presidential wife to be called by this title.
Mary Todd Lincoln’s House in Lexington is open to visitors. Read more about Mary Todd Lincoln at the National First Lady's Library.
Rep. Alice “Dolly” McNutt (McCracken, 1917-1989)
Elected mayor of Paducah in 1971, becoming the first woman mayor of a Kentucky second class city. Responsible for major renovation to downtown Paducah and later became a state representative.
Sen. Caroline Conn Moore (Simpson, 1904-1986)
In 1949, Moore became Kentucky’s first woman state Senator.
Sen. Georgia Davis Powers (Jefferson, b. 1923)
The first African American elected to the Kentucky Senate, serving from 1968-1989. A tireless civil rights activist and author of an autobiography.
Lt. Gov. Thelma Stovall (Hart, 1919-1994)
The first woman Lieutenant Governor in the state of Kentucky, serving between 1975-1979. A former tobacco worker, Stovall served three terms as a state representative, three terms as secretary of state, and two terms as the state treasurer.
Rep. Amelia Tucker (Jefferson, 1908-1987)
The first African American woman elected to the Kentucky State Legislature in 1961. She helped pass a bill making it illegal for any business to refuse service based on race.
Click here to get informations in german!