Female politicians remember legacy of Kentucky’s first woman governor Martha Layne Collins

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Women in public office are remembering Governor Martha Layne Collins, who served as Kentucky’s first and only female governor from 1983 to 1987.

Before becoming governor, Collins was the state’s second female lieutenant governor.

“Tonight, we have answered the one remaining questioning asked of this campaign. Yes, a woman can be elected governor of Kentucky,” Collins said after her historic election victory over four decades ago.

Collins made history as Kentucky’s first female governor and in the years and decades that followed became a symbol for female candidates at all levels of government.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a fellow former teacher, said she admires the work Collins accomplished and the standard she set.

“I think about how fortunate I am to have had women like her blaze a trail for people like me,” Coleman said. “Knowing that you can go from leading a classroom to leading the Commonwealth is a pretty powerful message and its one that I remember from when I was little.”

Laura White-Brown, Morehead’s first female mayor, said Collins’ work on economic development and public policy cannot be diminished. She said Collins’ ability to bring Toyota to Kentucky set the state up for a prosperous path.

“Outstanding at policymaking and she was a woman. So, all of those things pave the way for people like myself,” White said.

Freshman Kentucky Representative Anne Gay Donworth said the political landscape would be very different today without the state’s 56th governor.

“We wouldn’t have had another female governor and so we would still be looking to break that glass ceiling and still be told that wouldn’t be possible,” Donworth said.

The female officials said they want to build on Collins’ legacy and be role models for young women.

“I also realize that its my job to do the same thing for the next generation of little girls that she did for me,” Coleman said.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly 30 percent of the state legislature is made up of women.