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As part of the recent Wendell Ford Public Policy Lecture, the Martin School marked the eve of next year’s 100th anniversary of women suffrage by recognizing 10 modern-day Kentucky Women Trailblazers for outstanding achievements in their respective careers.  The honorees (pictured below) include:

Dr. Rosz Atkins, an educator who has devoted her career to addressing the achievement gap between African American boys and their peers.

Mira Ball, the first woman to chair the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.



Jennifer Coffman, the first female federal district judge in Kentucky.



Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s first—and so far only—woman Governor.



Virginia Fox, the first woman Executive Director and CEO of the Kentucky Educational Television Network.



The late Lois Gray, who led her family business, Gray Construction, to become one of the nation’s top commercial construction firms.



Crit Luallen,  our former Lt. Governor who was the first woman to serve in the posts of Secretary of Finance and State Budget Director.



Pam Miller, the first woman to serve as Mayor of Lexington, a post she held for 10 years from 1993-2003.



Renee Shaw, who in 2005 launched the first statewide minority affairs program on KET.



Marsha Weinstein, former chair of the Kentucky Commission on Women who is known nationally for her leadership in promoting women’s issues.


Gallery of 2019 female trailblazers in public policy