Kentucky Women Remembered
In 1978, the Kentucky Commission on Women (KCW) initiated a campaign
to bring attention to the outstanding women who made significant
contributions to Kentucky's history, but had been omitted from
historical accounts. Kentucky Women Excel began as a KCW-sponsored
exhibit at the 1978 Kentucky State Fair, and included watercolor
portraits of six women from various backgrounds who worked in
non-traditional ways during their lifetimes.
Through research and contact with descendants, KCW staff identified a
diverse group of women from all over the state who, with courage,
ability and determination, accomplished what would have been deemed
impossible by conventional wisdom of their time. Initially, the
collection hung in the KCW office and occasionally, when funds allowed,
traveled to libraries and elsewhere in an effort to establish women's
rightful place in Kentucky's history.
In 1996, nearly 20 years after KCW director Helen Howard Hughes and
her staff commissioned 17 portraits, the exhibit found a permanent home
in the Capitol – a more appropriate balance to the statues and busts of
men who impacted Kentucky’s history. To date, the exhibit boasts more
than 60 portraits of some of Kentucky's outstanding women.
Thousands of visitors to the Capitol view the portraits each year and
learn about the heritage and contributions of women in the
Commonwealth. The Kentucky Women Remembered Committee selects up to
three outstanding Kentucky women to become part of the expanding
exhibit. Nominees must have been born in or spent a significant part of
their lives in Kentucky, strengthened the state through determination,
personal contributions and outstanding work, shown exemplary leadership
and achievement in elevating the status of women, and may be living or
deceased.