Kentucky Commission On Human Rights ALL DOORS ARE OPEN IN KENTUCKY Newsletter

The late Dr. Blaine Hudson inducted U L President Ramsey speaks S th about Hudson. At his right is as 55 Great Black Kentuckian Executive Director Johnson. P Gov. Beshear said: The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights inducted on “African Americans R February 6 the late Dr. Blaine Hudson as its 55th Great Black have made significant Kentuckian. He was University of Louisville Arts and Sciences contributions to I dean. our state and to our N Unveiling Hudson’s Gallery nation, and Black of Great Black Kentuckians History Month allows G poster are University of us to reflect on those accomplishments. We know and honor Louisville President James many of these notable citizens, but also pay respect to the Ramsey, State Rep. Reginald many others who have been forgotten by history...” Meeks, Hudson’s daughter University of Louisville President James Ramsey spoke about 2 Maya Hudson Kelly, and his Hudson’s contributions to Kentucky. widow Bonnie Hines Hudson. 0 At left are KY Human Rights Commissioners Duane Bonifer 1 The induction and and Dr. Doris Clark Sarr, unveiling of Hudson’s Bonnie Hines Hudson, Maya 3 Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians poster took place in the Hudson Kelly, KY Human state capitol rotunda in Frankfort at the 2013 Kentucky Black Rights Commissioner Timothy History Month Celebration. About 200 people attended the Thomas and Executive event, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Black Legislative Director Johnson. Caucus. Also speaking Gov. Steve Beshear and several dignitaries participated, during the induction including Senate President Robert Stivers, House Speaker portion of the event Greg Stumbo and Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. were Kentucky Human Rights Commission Executive Director John J. In the photo are Wendell Johnson and Human Rights Commissioners Timothy Thomas Thomas, member of the of Madisonville, Dr. Doris Clark Sarr of Murray, and Duane Kentucky Council on Hudson’s widow Bonnie Hines Hudson also spoke. Postsecondary Education Committee on Equal About Blaine Hudson Opportunities, Priscilla Dr. J. Blaine Hudson (1949-2013), who died in January of Johnson, a former chair of this year was a well-known and consummate administrator, the Kentucky Commission on scholar, teacher and activist. He impacted countless people Human Rights, Bonnie Hines with his intelligence, compassion, courage and commitment. Hudson, Maya Hudson Kelly, Born in 1949 in Louisville, Hudson began what would Eleanor Jordan, Kentucky Commission on Women executive director, and Kentucky become his lifelong fight for social change when as a junior State Senator Gerald Neal. high school-aged youngster he was refused admittance to a The Black Caucus is composed of Sen. Neal and Reps. Jesse downtown movie theatre. As a student at the University of Crenshaw of Lexington, Jim Glenn of Owensboro, Derrick Louisville, he demonstrated in 1969 at the Arts and Sciences Graham of Frankfort, Reginald Meeks of Louisville, Darryl Dean’s Office (where he would later serve as dean until the Owens of Louisville and Arnold Simpson of Covington. time of his death), demanding improvement in education Members of the caucus joined Neal in speaking on the opportunities for African American students. significance of Black History Month. He was a lifelong Louisville resident. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s degrees of Education from the University of Louisville (UL). He earned Commission on Civil Rights. had commenced beyond his control. his Doctorate of Education from the He was active in local and regional racial Those in bondage increasingly University of Kentucky. and social justice organizations and streamed into the camps of the Union From 1974 to 1992, while teaching coordinated and taught in the Saturday Army, reclaiming and asserting self- part-time, he held staff positions at UL, Academy, a community education determination. The result, abolitionist including University Staff Grievance program focusing on African world Fredrick Douglass predicted, was that Officer. He joined the faculty of the history and culture. He led the effort the war for the Union became a war Department of Pan-African Studies to create a Freedom Park on the UL against slavery. The actions of both full-time in 1992. He served as chair of campus in an effort to counterbalance Lincoln and the slaves made clear that that department (1998- 2003) and as the Confederate statue that has stood the Civil War was in deed, as well as in an associate dean in the College of Arts nearby the main campus since 1895. He theory, a struggle between the forces and Sciences (1999-2004). In 2004, he died on January 5, 2013. of slavery and emancipation. The full- was appointed acting dean of Arts and scale dismantlement of the “peculiar Sciences, and, after a national search, institution” of human bondage had was appointed dean in 2005. He served begun. as dean of the College of Arts and African American In 1963, a century later, America once Sciences at the University of Louisville History Month of again stood at the crossroads. Nine from 2005 until his death. years earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court His teaching and research focused on February had outlawed racial segregation the histories and cultures of persons by the Association for the Study of African in public schools, but the nation of African ancestry throughout the American Life and History had not yet committed itself to world, inter-cultural education, equality of citizenship. Segregation When Carter G. Woodson established and innumerable other forms of diversity, and the history and social Negro History week in 1926, he realized psychology of race. He contributed discrimination made second‐class the importance of providing a theme citizenship the extra‐constitutional to the establishment of international to focus the attention of the public. programs in seven countries. He status of non‐whites. Another American The intention has never been to dictate president caught in the gale of racial was author of Fugitive Slaves and the or limit the exploration of the black Underground Railroad in the Kentucky change, John F. Kennedy, temporized experience, but to bring to the public’s over the legal and moral issue of his Borderland (2002), and Encyclopedia attention important developments that of the Underground Railroad (2006) time. Like Lincoln before him, national merit emphasis. The 2013 Black History concerns, and the growing momentum and coauthor of Two Centuries of Black Theme is “At the Crossroads of Freedom Louisville: A Photographic History (2011). of black mass mobilization efforts, and Equality: The Emancipation overrode his personal ambivalence During his career, he chronicled Proclamation and the March on toward demands for black civil rights. the history of African Americans Washington.” On August 28, 1963, hundreds of in Louisville, served on boards and The year 2013 marks two important thousands of Americans, blacks and commissions across the state and anniversaries in the history of African whites, Jews and gentiles, Protestants worked to solve the problem of gun Americans and the United States. On and Catholics, marched to the memorial violence in Louisville. He conducted January 1, 1863, the Emancipation of Abraham Lincoln, the author of the research for 10 historical markers Proclamation set the United States on the Emancipation Proclamation, in and served as a historical consultant the path of ending slavery. A wartime the continuing pursuit of equality of for the Farmington and Locust Grove measure issued by President Abraham citizenship and self-determination. historic homes, the Muhammad Ali Lincoln, the proclamation freed It was on this occasion that Martin Center, and the Kentucky Center for relatively few slaves, but it fueled the Luther King, Jr. delivered his celebrated African American Heritage. He served fire of the enslaved to strike for their “I Have a Dream” speech. Just as the on the Board of Directors of the freedom. In many respects, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had Muhammad Ali Center and as chair of declaration simply acknowledged the recognized the coming end of slavery, both the Kentucky African American epidemic of black self-emancipation the March on Washington for Jobs and Heritage Commission and the Kentucky – spread by black freedom crusaders Freedom announced that the days of State Advisory Committee to the U.S. like Harriet Tubman – that already legal segregation in the United States

Kentucky Commission on Human Rights John J. Johnson, Executive Director 332 W Broadway, Suite 700, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 . Phone: 502.595.4024 . Toll-free: 800.292.5566 . TDD: 502.595.4084 . Fax: 502.595.4801 . E-mail: [email protected] VISIT US ONLINE AT kchr.ky.gov Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Newsletter Victoria Stephens, Editor

2 were numbered. submit these resolutions in honor of other states and Washington D.C. The Association for the Study of African him,” he said. have laws prohibiting discrimination American Life and History was formed by based on these classes. Louisville, Resolution Supporting Efforts to the late Carter Woodson of Kentucky, the Lexington, Covington and Vicco, Ky., Increase Voter Participation in Kentucky father of African American History Month. have local laws that prohibit this type Eligible voters should be afforded of discrimination. A Kentucky survey fair opportunities to vote regardless found 83 percent of those polled agreed of personal circumstances that may the two classes should be protected prevent attendance at the polls on from discrimination. Protection from Commission Election Day. Working class persons, discrimination in one’s pursuit of passes social minorities, older persons and persons employment, housing and accessing with disabilities are frequently unable, the goods and services of public justice resolutions, due to mitigating circumstances, to accommodations are fundamental vote on election days. The commission freedoms that should include every calls to action for encourages legislators and the public Kentuckian. The commission again to push for increasing access and encourages legislators and the public lawmakers & public opportunities for voters by enacting to push for legislation that adds these laws that would provide additional protected classes to the Kentucky Civil The Kentucky Commission on Human voting options like “no-excuse” Rights Act. Rights Board of Commissioners on Jan. early voting, access to voting polls on weekends, fewer restrictions on 17, passed social justice resolutions Resolution in Support of Effective and absentee voting, voting-by-mail systems in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Reasonable Federal and State Gun and same-day voter registration. Holiday, which was on Jan. 21. Control Legislation The nation has endured at least 21 mass The resolutions are calls to action for Resolution in Support of Raising the killings involving firearms since the legislators and the public. They were High School Drop-out Age to Eighteen passage of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act submitted to the members of the in Kentucky in 1966. Evidence suggests that most, Kentucky General Assembly during the Kentucky consistently ranks high among if not all, of the perpetrators of the 2013 session. The commission urges the states in high school drop-out rates. massacres had some form of emotional public to continue informing legislators Evidence suggests the high school disorder or mental disease yet were of the need to address these issues in drop-out rate disproportionately affects able to acquire firearms including future sessions. minorities and low income persons. semi-automatic assault weapons. In addition, high school drop-outs The commission encourages the “There are human and civil rights frequently suffer a lifetime of lost or state legislature to urge the Kentucky challenges that need to be met in significantly diminished socioeconomic members of the U.S. Congress to push our great state,” said John J. Johnson, opportunities. The commission for reasonable and effective federal executive director of the commission, encourages legislators and the public to gun control laws. The commission “and we believe it is important to push for raising the high school drop- encourages the public to push for such recognize the significance of the out age to eighteen in order to make legislation. Martin Luther King National Holiday by available to the state the full productive addressing some of these issues while capacities of all persons. Gov. Beshear Resolution in Support of State and the General Assembly is in session. signed into passage during the week of Local Policies, Ordinances and Laws March 11, 2013, a law that allows schools that Affirmatively Further Fair Housing “All Americans have rights and to raise the dropout age to 18. opportunities that never would have Choice Although fair housing laws have been been achieved had it not been for Resolution Reaffirming Support of in place for over 40 years, housing the leadership of the great Dr. Martin Amending the Kentucky Civil Rights discrimination is still prevalent in Luther King Jr. and others throughout Act to include Sexual Orientation and the state. The Kentucky Housing our state and national history,” Johnson Gender Identity as Protected Classes Corporation and other state and local said. “Dr. King came to Kentucky several The commission in 2008 urged the state organizations have identified viable times during the 1960s to help our state legislature to add sexual orientation and solutions to address and alleviate become the first in the south to pass gender identity to the Kentucky Civil current levels of discrimination a Civil Rights Act, and we are proud to Rights Act protected classes. Sixteen Board of Commissioners Chair George W. Stinson, Louisville . Robert Asseo, Florence . Duane Bonifer, Greensburg . Richard Brown, Owensboro Samuel R. Coleman Jr., Middlesboro . Henry Curtis, Frankfort . Mildred Hudson Diehl, Fort Mitchell Ann Newman, Ashland . Sandra Añez Powell, Lexington . Doris Clark Sarr Ph.D., Murray . Timothy W. Thomas, Madisonville

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Continued next page and segregation in housing choice, affects minorities. A 2007 report by the including the adoption of planning Kentucky League of Women Voters says Attend Fair Housing and zoning and land use development Kentucky has the second highest African laws that further fair housing choice American voting disenfranchisement Conference and by encouraging integration and rate in the country, thus keeping nearly Fair Housing Month non-discrimination. The commission one in four Kentucky African Americans encourages legislators and the public to from voting. Studies have also found Proclamation Signing join with the U.S. Dept. of Housing and that people with a record of felony The Kentucky Human Rights Urban Development and other state and conviction who voted after release from Commission, Kentucky State University, local agencies, and enact legislation that supervision were half as likely to be re- the Lexington Fair Housing Council, the implements their recommendations of arrested than those who had not voted. Kentucky Fair Housing Task Force and these entities concerning the reform of The commission again encourages the the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban state and local planning and zoning and state and its people to push for the Development (HUD) will present two land use development laws. automatic restoration of voting rights special housing programs on Tuesday, to felons who have completed their April 9, in Frankfort, Ky. Both programs sentences and are released in terms that Resolution Encouraging National are free and open to the public. Immigration Reform and Opposing are just and promote reintegration back The first is the Fair Housing Month in State Policies that May Result in Unfair into society. Kentucky proclamation. It will be held Discrimination Against immigrants from 11 to 11:45 a.m. (EDT) in the state There are over 140,000 immigrants Resolution Opposing the Death Penalty Capitol Rotunda, 700 Capital Avenue. estimated to reside in Kentucky, Since 1976, when Kentucky reinstated nearly 3.2 percent of the population. the death penalty, 50 of the 78 The program will feature the Fair A 2008 study by the Perryman people sentenced to death have had Housing Month Proclamation signing Group estimated at least 34,455 their death sentences or convictions by Gov. Steve Beshear and Secretary of undocumented immigrants at that time overturned due to misconduct or State Alison Lundergan Grimes. held permanent jobs in the state, and serious errors that occurred during their The signing will include remarks by removing undocumented people from trials. This represents an unacceptable commission Executive Director John J. the state would result in a $1.7 billion error rate of more than 60 percent. Johnson, HUD-Region VI Fair Housing loss in economic activity and a $765.8 Nationwide, 140 people have been and Equal Opportunity Director Carlos million loss in gross state product. released from death rows due to Osegueda, and Kentucky Housing The Immigration Policy Center reports evidence of wrongful conviction. Corporation Chief Executive Officer that undocumented immigrants in Statistics confirm that the imposition of Richard McQuady. Kentucky paid $85.1 million in state the death penalty is disproportionately The second program is a Fair Housing and local taxes in 2010. The commission imposed on minorities and the poor. Conference. It will be from 1 to 4 p.m., at asks the legislature and the public to African Americans constitute 12 percent the Cooperative Extension Building of support policies and laws that protect of the U.S. population, but represent Kentucky State University, 400 East Main Kentuckians from discrimination based 42 percent of prisoners on death row. Street. on race, color, or national origin, and in According to Amnesty International, The conference will feature speakers so doing, to protect the fair and equal more than 20 percent of black from HUD, the Lexington Fair Housing treatment of persons regardless of their defendants executed since 1976 were Council, the Kentucky Disabilities immigrant status. convicted by all-white juries. Numerous Coalition and others. Come and share studies, including one commissioned by your ideas about fair housing and learn the Kentucky General Assembly, have the latest information on how laws can Resolution in Support of Felony Voter shown that the commonwealth is more affect everyone who seeks, sells or rents Re-enfranchisement by Amending likely to seek the death penalty when housing. Section 145 of the Kentucky the offender is black and the victim is Constitution white, and that a death sentence is more Speakers are expected to be University Only Kentucky, Virginia, Iowa and Florida likely to be imposed on black offenders President Mary Evans Sias, Commission permanently bar people convicted of convicted of killing a white victim. The Executive Director John J. Johnson, a felony from the right to vote except commission encourages legislators and U. S. Department of Housing & Urban by Executive Pardon. In Kentucky, 90 the public to push to end the death Development (HUD) Regional Director percent of the 186,000 people with penalty in Kentucky. Carlos Osegueda, HUD Kentucky Field felony convictions have paid their debt Office Field Office Director Krista Mills, to society. They reside, work and pay and Kentucky Housing Corporation taxes as free citizens. Not being allowed Deputy General Counsel Karen Quinn. to vote prohibits them from exercising the full rights of free citizens. The impact Planned is a Fair Housing panel with of felony convictions disproportionately Kentucky Disabilities Coalition Executive

4 Director Sharon Fields, Metropolitan in ‘The New York Times’ on January 28, 2013. Housing Coalition Executive Director Louisville, Lexington and Covington, are Cathy Hinko and Fairness Coalition the other Kentucky cities with fairness Director Chris Hartman. ordinances. Louisville and Lexington To reserve a place at the housing are the two largest urban centers in conference, please contact Juan the state, and Covington is just across Peña at the Kentucky Human Rights Ohio River bridges from the large city of Commission at 1.800.292.5566 or send Cincinnati, Ohio. an email to [email protected]. The Vicco City Commission passed During April, the state human rights the measure 3 to 1. According to Above, Vicco Mayor Johnny Cummings conducts city th commission, local commissions and the January 28 edition of The New business. He also owns and operates a local business Kentucky fair housing partners will York Times, which sent a reporter and in Vicco. (This photo was published by ‘The New York conduct training and events in the photographer to the town to cover this Times’ on January 28, 2013.) state to raise awareness and provide news, “it [passage of the ordinance] … compliance education about the presented a legislative model to the Kentucky and U.S. Fair Housing acts. nation’s partisan-paralyzed Capitol, 460 miles away.” Woodford County Appalachian town The Courier-Journal newspaper (based High School plan to in Louisville with bureaus in other areas passes a ‘Fairness of Kentucky) reported that the measure meet with minority generated lengthy debate at the Ordinance’ commission meeting, according to Vicco and low income The tiny Eastern Kentucky coal town of Mayor Johnny Cummings. students ill advised Vicco, which rests in the Appalachian The Courier-Journal article of January by Kentucky Commission on Human Mountain region of the state, has 15th reported Cummings as saying, “’The Rights Chair George Stinson passed a local fairness ordinance that overall tone for everyone was support ... prohibits discrimination based on sexual for equal rights.’” The Kentucky orientation and sexual identity in the The Courier-Journal said: “Ashley added Commission on area of employment and housing. in a written statement: ‘Vicco is a Human Rights found Vicco is in Perry County and has a community that believes all folks should disturbing a plan last population of 335 people. In January, be treated fairly. We believe everyone December by the it became only the fourth city in the deserves the opportunity for life, liberty, Woodford County state to pass such an ordinance and is and the pursuit of happiness. Fairness is (Kentucky) High the first rural and also small Kentucky a Kentucky value, a Vicco value, and one School to segregate, town to do so. In fact, it is believed at of our most American values.’” in an assembly-type this point by media to be the smallest meeting, African American and Hispanic In his interview with The New York Times, municipality in the United States to pass students, and students who receive Mayor Cummings said, “‘you discuss, you a law that protects from discrimination financial assistance for lunch, to discuss find consensus, you vote, and you move people who are Lesbian, gay, bisexual or improving academic performance. on…you have to get along.’” transgender. The Kentucky Commission on “The Kentucky Commission on In addition, the Vicco ordinance will Human Rights and also the Kentucky Human Rights is excited that this ban discrimination based on the classes Department of Education rejected the small town has made a giant stand to of race, religion, gender and age. The notion of segregating students by race, protect vulnerable individuals from local law will be enforceable in the national origin and economic status to discrimination with a local ordinance, areas of housing, employment and discuss academic performance while and that is has included the classes of accommodations. apparently exempting majority students sexual orientation and gender identity, to discuss academic performance at the said George W. Stinson, chair of the same time. Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners. “This This plan came to light through a letter act demonstrates a widening view from school officials to parents of by people everywhere that no one students who belong to these groups deserves to be mistreated, bullied, and said the school planned to hold abused or otherwise victimized by the the group meeting on Dec. 13 with the cruelty of discrimination,” he said, “and students. The parent letter said recent this is great news for Kentuckians.” statistics showed these groups to have Above is a town street in Vicco. The photo was published greater [achievement] gaps and that the

5 meeting was intended to offer support Cave City, Ky. and assistance. Discrimination Lexington Fair Housing Council v. The letter upset parents and members Complaint Case Glenwood Apartments: On Jan. 13, of the public, after which the Woodford 2011, the Lexington Fair Housing County School Superintendent canceled Highlights Council alleged that Glenwood the planned assembly. Apartments, 9451 Happy Valley Road, in The Kentucky Commission on Human Cave City, discriminated based on the The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights met in January and February protected class of disability in the area Rights strongly supported the Kentucky of this year to rule on discrimination of housing. This would be a violation of Department of Education’s response complaints for the Commonwealth the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, the U.S. regarding the Woodford County High of Kentucky. It ruled to accept the Fair Housing Act and the U.S. Americans School meeting plan. following conciliation agreements, with Disabilities Act. The council Kentucky Dept. of Education which are similar to settlements and are claimed the rental property was not Commissioner Terry Holliday, Ph.D., negotiated by commission staff: providing a reasonable accommodation said in a letter on Dec. 14 to Woodford Highland Heights, Ky. to people with disabilities who use County School Superintendent Scott Lexington Fair Housing Council v. support animals because it permitted Hawkins, “While I certainly hope that Meadowview Apartments LP: On May the animals but required an additional the letter was a lapse of judgment and 4, 2012, Lexington Fair Housing Council “pet deposit” from the individuals. The an extremely poor choice of words alleged that Meadowview Apartments, commission issued a probable cause by school staff, I nonetheless expect 100 Meadow Trail Drive, in Highland determination, indicating there was immediate corrective action to occur Heights, discriminated based on the evidence to believe discrimination that will include appropriate gap protected class of disability in the area occurred. The respondent elected to reduction activities and the training of of housing. This would be a violation proceed to circuit court, and on Jan. staff.” of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and 5, 2012, the commission filed a civil complaint in Barren Circuit Court. Before He instructed the superintendent to the U.S. Fair Housing Act. The council proceeding to trial, the parties chose to also conduct a culture audit of the high claimed the property was inaccessible resolve the matter with a conciliation school with an action plan to address to people with disabilities and not agreement, which the commission any findings. compliant with design and construction requirements of the federal Fair negotiated. The respondent denied He further wrote, “Finally, we must all Housing Act. After an investigation any violation of the law. It agreed be reminded that while each student by commission staff, the agency to make a donation of $1,000 to the deserves an education that provides prepared to issue a probable cause Arc of Barren County, a non-profit for high levels of achievement, no determination, which indicates there organization offering support and direct or indirect act or practice of is evidence to believe discrimination services to individuals with disabilities, exclusion, distinction, restriction, occurred. Prior to the issuance, the comply with civil rights law, undergo segregation, or any other act or practice parties decided to resolve the matter fair housing training, and for three years of differentiation will be tolerated in with a conciliation agreement, which submit to compliance monitoring by Kentucky schools.” the commission negotiated. The the commission. While the commission has not formally respondent denied any violation of Benton, Ky. investigated the matter, and therefore the law. The property company agreed Community Options Inc. v. the City does not draw an ultimate conclusion to comply with civil rights law, bring of Benton, Ky.: Community Options, a on the actual facts of this situation, the up to design requirements within non-profit organization that provides Commission nevertheless joins with the 120 days any usable doorways within supervised residential housing for good citizens of Woodford County, the ground floor units concerning width people with disabilities, alleged on Department of Education, and all others and adjust thermostat height from the Dec. 6, 2011, that the City of Benton who oppose any direct or indirect act finished floors. The respondent agreed discriminated based on the protected or practice of exclusion, distinction, to provide reasonable accommodations class of disability in the area of housing. restriction, segregation, or any other act to tenants with disabilities, not raise This would be a violation of the or practice of differentiation based on the rent for the units in which the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the U.S. race, color, national origin, or any other corrections are made, pay $1,000 to the Fair Housing Act. Community Options intrinsic characteristic within Kentucky council, $1,000 to the commission, and claimed the city notified it that it would schools. $500 to a charity that assists people not be allowed to operate its supportive with disabilities, undergo fair housing housing for people with disabilities in compliance training and for two years residential areas of the city. The city submit to compliance monitoring by asserted it only questioned whether the commission. the complainant could operate its services in a residential area of the city and therefore filed a complaint for

6 declaratory relief in Marshall Circuit to comply with civil rights law, to pay in the amount of $45,000, revise its Court. After an investigation by the Merida $10,500 and in a separate check written policy describing its prohibition commission, the agency prepared to pay $500 to the commission to offset a of discrimination of any kind and to issue a probable cause determination, portion of the commission’s expenses. implement serious disciplinary actions which would indicate there was The respondents agreed to undergo if discrimination occurs. The company evidence to believe discrimination fair housing training and for two years agreed to undergo employment civil occurred. Prior to the issuance, the submit to compliance monitoring by the rights compliance training and for parties decided to resolve the matter commission. two years to submit to compliance with a conciliation agreement, which Henderson, Ky. monitoring by the commission. the commission negotiated. The Tamara Durham v. Popp Brothers Crofton, Ky. respondent denied any violation of Inc. doing business as KFC: On Oct. In two individual complaints, Darrell the law. The respondent agreed to 2, 2008, Tamara Durham alleged the Gossett and Lisa Gossett v. Corpus withdraw its complaint for declaratory KFC in Henderson discriminated Realty Company: Darrell and Lisa relief. It agreed that Community against her based on sex in the area of Gossett alleged they were discriminated Options is authorized to operate a employment. This would be a violation against in the area of housing based residential care facility in Benton, and of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and on the protected class of familial that the complainant may utilize the the U.S. Civil Rights Act. She claimed status. This would be a violation of subject property at 202 Merrywood the company forced her to take leave the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and Drive without further legal action. when she was pregnant. After its the U.S. Fair Housing Act. The couple The respondent agreed that its city investigation, the commission issued a claimed that in July 2012 each spoke attorney and zoning administrator determination of probable cause, which by telephone with Corpus Realty about will undergo fair housing training and indicated there was evidence to believe renting one of its properties and was thereafter advise the city council as discrimination occurred. Prior to holding told by employees the company did issues arise regarding the statutory right a final hearing on the case, the parties not want to rent its three bedroom of residential care facilities operated decided to resolve the matter with a property in Crofton to people with for people with disabilities to operate conciliation agreement. The company children or to four people. Corpus in any residential area. The respondent denied any violation of the law. The Realty denied any violation of the agreed to submit to commission company agreed to comply with civil law. Before the completion of the compliance monitoring for two years. rights law, to rescind all mandatory commission investigation, the parties Richmond, Ky. leave policies regarding pregnant chose to resolve the complaint with Tonya Merida v. Franklin American women and to employ pregnant women a conciliation agreement, which the Mortgage Company and Star Mortgage and members of other protected commission negotiated. The respondent LLC: On April 4, 2012, Tonya Merida classes, undergo employment civil affirmed that it complies with fair alleged that American Mortgage and rights compliance training and for three housing law and agreed to compensate Star Mortgage discriminated based years submit to compliance monitoring each complainant in the amount of on the protected class of disability by the commission. $5,000. The company agreed to undergo in the area of housing. This would La Grange, Ky. fair housing compliance training and to be a violation of the Kentucky Civil Jennifer Vermillion v. Process Equipment submit to compliance monitoring by the Rights Act and the U.S. Fair Housing Company Inc., doing business as commission for three years. Act. Merida claimed the companies’ Proheat Inc.: On Sept. 9, 2010, Jennifer Danville, Ky. underwriting requirements imposed Vermillion alleged that Proheat Carleen Buschmann v. Eye Associates higher levels of income verification on discriminated against her based on of Danville PSC: Carleen Buschmann disabled persons that receive social the protected class of sex in the area of alleged she was discriminated against security disability than those required employment. This would be a violation by the medical provider in the area of of non-disabled persons. On April 10, of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and public accommodations on the basis 2012, Star Mortgage filed a response to the U.S. Civil Rights Act. She claimed of disability. This would be a violation the complaint denying the allegations the employer discriminated, harassed of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights and any violation of the law. On April and retaliated against her based on her acts. She claimed that on June 23, 2011, 30, 2012, American Mortgage filed a gender. After staff investigation, the she visited Eye Associates for medical similar response. After investigation by commission issued a determination of reasons and that while there staff failed staff, the commission prepared to issue probable cause, which indicates there to provide her with auxiliary aids (a sign a determination of probable cause, is evidence to believe discrimination language interpreter). This would be a which indicates there is evidence to occurred. Prior to holding a final hearing violation of the Kentucky and U.S. Civil believe discrimination occurred. Prior on the case, the parties decided to Rights acts. The company denied any to the issuance, the parties decided to resolve the matter with a conciliation violation of the law. The commission resolve the matter with a conciliation agreement. Proheat denied any issued a notice to the parties that agreement, which the commission violation of the law. The company probable cause existed to believe negotiated. The respondents agreed agreed to compensate Vermillion discrimination had occurred. Before the

7 matter proceeded to a final hearing, the Summerfields, and that they refused to legislators to lobby for the passage of parties chose to resolve the matter with rent to her because she had children in House Bill 396. a conciliation agreement, which the the household. The commission issued The proposed public safety bill would commission negotiated. Eye Associates a notice to the parties that there was provide immigrant Kentucky drivers of Danville affirmed that it does and probable cause to believe discrimination with roadway safety training and will comply with civil rights laws and had occurred. The respondents elected testing and the ability to purchase car will not discriminate against patients to proceed to circuit court. Two insurance. based on civil rights protected classes. additional complainants were then It agreed to provide to people who are joined to the complaint, Kelly and Rick Juan Peña, Immigrant Outreach liaison deaf or are hard of hearing appropriate Wine. Prior to the matter proceeding and one of the commission’s regional aids and services as required by law. The to trial, the parties chose to resolve the field supervisors, attended the press respondent compensated Buschmann matter with a conciliation agreement, conference to learn more about the civil in the amount of $8,000 and agreed which the commission negotiated. The rights needs of the state’s immigrants to undergo compliance training and respondents denied any violation of the and refugees. monitoring by the commission for three law and affirmed that they do and will years. comply with civil rights laws and will not discriminate. They compensated the Disability Awareness Berea, Ky. complainants in the amount of $8,500. Tony Merida v. Bank of America The respondents agreed to undergo Day In Kentucky fair housing compliance training and and mortgage loan officer Jason Gov. Steve Beshear declared March 5 submit for three years to compliance Crouch: Tony Merida alleged she Disabilities Awareness Day in Kentucky. monitoring by the commission. was discriminated against by Bank He spoke at a rally in the capitol held of America and its loan officer, Jason the same day in which hundreds of Crouch, in the area of housing on the people with disabilities and their basis of disability. This would be a families participated. The rally was violation of the Kentucky Civil Rights Rally in capitol organized by the “874K Coalition,” Act and the U.S. Fair Housing Act. She raised awareness of representing the 874,000 people in claimed that in the spring of 2012, she Kentucky who have some disability. applied for a housing loan at which Kentuckians with The annual rally is designed to raise the time the loan officer told her she awareness of legislators and the public would need to provide a letter from diverse national about the needs and issues of concern her doctor to verify she was eligible to of people with disabilities. This year’s continue to receive disability income. origins rally participants urged lawmakers to The Bank of America and Crouch denied by Juan Peña, commission Immigrant continue funding for needed programs, any violation of the law. Commission Outreach Liaison and Regional Field despite the state’s tightening budget. investigation found probable cause to Supervisor believe discrimination had occurred, The Kentucky Commission on Human but before the notice of probable More than 150 immigrants and their Rights protects people with disabilities cause was issued by the commission, supporters rallied in Kentucky’s capitol from illegal discrimination. Kentucky the parties chose to resolve the matter on Feb. 27 to focus awareness of is among states that have the highest with a conciliation agreement, which legislators and the public on immigrant numbers of people with disabilities in the commission negotiated. The and refugee struggles. The state the nation. respondent affirmed it does not nor will legislature is in session ends on March it discriminate against a person based 26. on disability or other protected classes. The American Civil Liberties Union of It compensated Merida in the amount of Kentucky spear-headed the advocacy KY Man displayed effigy $11,500. event, which had the theme, “I am a of President with melon Kentuckian.” Prospect, Ky. During the holidays, it came to light Paige Windham v. Lee and Dee The group held a morning press through media, that Liberty, Ky., Summerfield: Paige Windham alleged conference in the capitol rotunda resident, Danny Hafley, had on display in that Lee and Dee Summerfield where several people from around the his front yard near a well-traveled road discriminated against her in the area world shared their personal stories as a life-size mannequin that depicted U.S. of housing on the basis of familial immigrants. President Barak Obama holding a piece status. This would be a violation of The press conference ended with the of watermelon. the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and U.S. patriotic song, “This Land is Your Land,” Fair Housing Act. She claimed that in News photos showed the standing by the late Woody Guthrie. After the figure wearing a suit, a wide smile, and November 2011 she inquired about press conference, the group visited renting a property owned by the holding a slice of melon from which a 8 bite had been taken. The figure’s arms to eras when such symbols were used a history of progressive action on civil held up the object as if poised to eat. to demean and stereotype as inferior rights, dating to the mid 19th century, According to news reports, Hafley said African American people who were according to the Lexington Herald-Leader the display was meant as a joke and not enslaved, segregated and abused. He newspaper Feb. 1, 2013 edition. as a racist symbol. offered the commission’s assistance in Berea College became the only racially providing education and mediation Kentucky Commission on Human Rights integrated college in the South upon about the existence of the mannequin its founding in 1855. Approximately Executive Director John J. Johnson said and about the benefits of unity and about the matter that, “Regardless of 10 ago, the school extended benefits equal opportunity to the residents of to domestic partners of employees, the racial composition of the many Casey County. towns and counties across the state, including same-sex partners, the most Kentucky communities know how The most recent census statistics show Lexington Herald-Leader said. to welcome diversity and demonstrate that the African American population “The Kentucky Commission on Human common courtesy to other people no of Casey County is .7 percent, with Rights is pleased about the Berea mayor’s matter their differing physical or other a majority of 97.9 percent of the order to provide government employees attributes. Perhaps Mr. Hafley would population being white. with protections from discrimination also like to be treated with decency and based on sexual orientation,” said respect by members of his community.” commission Executive Director John Johnson. “We will continue to urge Berea and the state to add the protected Berea enacts classes of sexual orientation and sexual discrimination identity to civil rights laws so that more people in Kentucky don’t have to endure protection for city the desolation of discrimination,” he said. workers based on Johnson, who grew up in Franklin, Ky., during the era of legal segregation of sexual orientation African Americans, knows first-hand the Berea Mayor Steve Connelly in January pain and humiliation of discrimination, The photograph of the controversial yard display was signed an executive order prohibiting he said. published by Television News Channel Lexington [Ky.] 18 discrimination based on sexual “There’s nothing so dehumanizing,” he on Dec. 24, 2012. orientation in hiring, firing and benefits said. “No person deserves to be a pariah Johnson said: “The so-called yard for the city’s 130 employees. in their society because of attributes display sends a message of hatred and The Kentucky Commission on Human like race, color, religion, disability, age, blatant disregard of one’s fellows. I can Rights and other members of the national origin, sex, sexual orientation or imagine that the larger citizenry of the Kentucky Fairness Coalition have been sexual identity,” he said. town of Liberty and Casey County is encouraging the Berea Council for over embarrassed by this piece of news, and a year to include in a local ordinance the I am confident this is not the attitude of protected classes of sexual orientation the majority of citizens in Casey County. and sexual identity. “The Kentucky Commission on With the commission’s assistance, in Human Rights believes in the people 2011, the city council reestablished of Casey County and that the local the Berea Human Rights Commission. Commission Fairness officials and community at large will It is one of 24 local human rights discourage any such pitiful display and commissions now in the state. The local activities the backwardness that such an antic commissions act as important partners communicates to the entire world,” he to the Kentucky Commission on Human by Chad Stratton, commission Kentucky said. Rights. Fairness Coalition Liaison and Civil Rights Enforcement Officer Upon the commission’s discovery of the A few cities, Berea, Covington, Louisville, matter, the commission, the executive Lexington-Fayette County, and now The Kentucky Commission on director sent letters to Casey County Vicco, have created local ordinances that Human Rights is a member of the Judge-Executive Ronald Wright and City allow their local commissions to also Kentucky Fairness Coalition, a of Liberty Mayor Steve Sweeney urging investigate and make determinations consortium of groups seeking to them and other officials in the area to on discrimination complaints in their expand the Kentucky Civil Rights Act discourage this type of activity. regions. and to encourage city and county The letters said the effigy in a yard of Berea, located near the western edge governments in the state to pass one of their constituents is a throw-back of the Daniel Boone National Forest, has ordinances that expand discrimination

9 protections to people based on sexual He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in orientation and gender identity. Sociology from Brescia University in Commission attorney Chad Stratton Owensboro. He has served on the in Who’s Who Daviess County Foundation Board, The commission is On Feb. 5, commission the National Association for the pleased to recognize Regional Field Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) its staff attorney, Supervisor Glenda and the Owensboro Career Development Alteata McWilliams, Green and Fairness Association Inc. Liaison and for her selection into Enforcement Officer Commissioner Brown the Who’s Who in Chad Stratton, in took the oath of Louisville African conjunction with the office at the Kentucky American Profiles. Kentucky Association Human Rights Board of Commissioners McWilliams has of Civil Liberties Union, gave a been with the commission for over 16 presentation to the Bardstown Human January meeting. His term will expire years and was formerly an assistant Relations Commission and other Jefferson County attorney. Since 2008, community members. The presentation September 12, 2015. He replaces Alma she has been the director of Mediation was well attended by community for the commission. members and included more than two Louise Randolph Patton of Owensboro, hours of discussion about civil rights whose term expired. Ms. McWilliams earned her Bachelor’s laws and requirements, both generally “The commission thanks former of Liberal Studies degree from the and in regard to Fairness protections. Commissioner Randolph Patton for her University of Louisville and her Juris The luncheon portion allowed state staff service to the people of Kentucky, and Doctorate from the University of and local commissioners the we welcome Commissioner Brown and Louisville Brandeis School of Law. opportunity to interface about look forward to his contributions,” said She is a member of the Kentucky Bar furthering protection from John J. Johnson, executive director. Association, Louisville Bar Association, discrimination to people based on “We are pleased to welcome Richard Louisville Black Lawyer’s Association, Phi sexual orientation and sexual identity Brown to the Human Rights Board of Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, On Feb. 22, Stratton supported the Commissioners,” said Chair George W. Kentuckiana Girl Scouts Board of Statewide Fairness Steering Committee Stinson. “He is a longtime civil rights Director, Louisville Metro’s Property in the annual Rally for Fairness at the activist, and his willingness to serve for Maintenance and Public Nuisance state capitol. The morning activities a second time on the commission is a Board, and the Cambridge Who’s consisted of delivering over 1,000 letters testament to his concern about people’s Who of Executives, Professionals and in support of Fairness (providing civil equality,” he said. Entrepreneurs. rights protection to people based on Brown has been a longtime activist for She volunteers for civic and social sexual orientation and sexual identity) civil and human rights in Owensboro organizations, including the University to state legislators, with over a hundred since the early 1960s. A local and of Louisville Joseph H. McMillan Black Kentuckians visiting their legislators in statewide leader of the NAACP, he used Family Conference and Louisville Metro person to advocate for the passing of his influence to calm racial tensions after a Government. statewide fairness protections. In the riot in 1968 caused police to heavily patrol afternoon, commission Chair George black neighborhoods. He fought for more Stinson and Stratton attended the Rally hiring of minorities in Owensboro city Executive Director for Fairness in the Capitol Rotunda, government, which resulted in the hiring which broke previous attendance of the city’s first black firefighter in 1971. speaks during King records. As a member of the NAACP, he addressed Holiday threats and racist protests toward black coal miners in Western Kentucky. He John J. Johnson, executive director for Brown appointed to helped 30,000 Owensboro residents resist the Kentucky Commission on Human a march of the Ku Klux Klan by wearing Rights, was the guest speaker at the commission yellow ribbons that indicated their city Somerset Community College (SCC) stood for unity rather than division. He Unity Breakfast on January 18. The Governor Steven Beshear in January event is held annually to honor the appointed Richard E. Brown of helped the Daviess County Board of Education recruit minority teachers and birthday holiday of the late Rev. Martin Owensboro, Ky., in Daviess County, to Luther King Jr. and is sponsored by the the Kentucky Commission on Human organized scholarships and field trips for area youth. He is an inductee of the SCC President’s Office and SCC Office Rights Board of Commissioners. Brown of Cultural Diversity. previously served on the commission for Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame. five years from 2001 to 2006. “We should use occasions like this across the nation to recommit to

10 ridding America of the violence, Kentucky Commission on Human Colored People) in Baltimore, Md. hatred, bigotry and inequality that, Rights the state authority to enforce “Mrs. Parks always supported our unbelievably, still remains,” said the Act with the power of a court of initiatives for the NAACP and often Johnson. law. participated,” Johnson said. “She was a Johnson also spoke on Jan. 20 at gentle lady who exuded a calm dignity the annual King Holiday Community resolute courage, he said, “and I admired Church service in Middlesboro, Ky. The her very much.” event was sponsored by the Lincoln When Parks died in 2005, Johnson School Homecoming Organization coordinated through the national NAACP and was coordinated with the help of the first of her three memorial services. It Kentucky Human Rights Commissioner took place in Montgomery, Ala. In 1955, Samuel Coleman, who is a resident of in Montgomery, Parks courageously Middlesboro and represents the state refused to give up her seat on a at large on the state Human Rights municipal bus to a white man, defying Above, Executive Director John Johnson speaks at the Commission Board. the discriminatory laws of the time. The Unity Breakfast. The event was held in the Citizens seamstress was also secretary of the National Bank Community Room of the Harold Rogers Montgomery NAACP chapter at the time Student Commons at Somerset Community College. Parks postal stamp of her arrest. Johnson said Kentuckians have a She was often referred to by other civil special relationship with the late Dr. celebrated with help rights activists as “Mother Parks” because King because of his work in the state. of friend from NAACP her single act of civil disobedience in He made many visits to Kentucky the heart of the South in the 1950s throughout his activism to assist with days, John Johnson helped catapult the American Civil civil rights efforts. Rights Movement to the forefront of public attention, Johnson said. “She is The U.S. considered by many civil rights activists Postal to be the mother of the Modern Civil Service Rights Movement,” he said. issued on Feb. 4 the According to the U.S. Postal Service Rosa Parks website, the stamp art, a gouache (Forever®) painting on illustration board, is a stamp. It portrait of Parks emphasizing her quiet honors the strength. A 1950s photograph served life of an as the basis for the stamp portrait. The American response to Parks’s arrest was a boycott Above, are Eddie Girdler, mayor of Somerset, Ky., Jo activist of the Montgomery bus system that Marshall, Ph.D., president and CEO of SCC, Elaine A. who lasted for more than a year and became Wilson, director of the SCC Office of Cultural Diversity, became an international cause célèbre, the U.S. John Johnson, and Barty Bullock, Pulaski County Postal Service said. judge-executive. an iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She would have celebrated In 1956, in a related case, the U.S. “His influence, and the people he her 100th birthday on the day the stamp Supreme Court affirmed that segregating touched, reached from the greatest was issued. Montgomery buses was unconstitutional. corridors of power in the world to the Soon after the boycott ended, Parks On Feb. 12, John J. Johnson, executive smallest communities and hollows like moved to Detroit, Michigan. those in rural Kentucky,” Johnson said. director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, joined Phyllis Arnold, She joined the 1963 March on On March 5, 1964, King joined manager of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Washington D.C. and returned to Kentucky civil rights leaders on a U.S. Post Office Branch located at 2727 W. Alabama in 1965 to join the famous civil march of 10,000 people to the state Broadway in Louisville, Ky., to celebrate rights march from Selma to Montgomery. capitol in Frankfort where they called the issue of the new stamp. The many honors she received in her for an end to legal segregation. Johnson formerly served as a member lifetime include the Presidential Medal The demonstration helped lead to of the Rosa and Raymond Parks of Freedom (1996), the Spingarn Medal Kentucky’s becoming the first state Foundation. Johnson was also a (1979), and the Congressional Gold south of the Mason-Dixon Line to longtime acquaintance of Rosa Parks Medal (1999). pass a state Civil Rights Act. The law during his tenure at the national Upon her death, she became the first was passed in 1966 and made the headquarters of the NAACP (National woman and second African American to Association for the Advancement of 11 lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in For location, call commission Fair Housing Coloring and Activity Book Washington D.C. headquarters in June at The commission is excited to announce Artist Thomas Blackshear II created an 1.800.292.5566 or visit the website at the creation of a coloring and activity original painting for the stamp, which kchr.ky.gov. book for kids! Good Neighbors Come in was designed by art director Derry • In July there is no meeting. All Colors is designed to teach young Noyes. people about the meaning of fair • Thursday, August 15, at Louisville housing, and it promotes unity and The stamp honoring Rosa Parks is one headquarters. harmony among all people of three stamps in the civil rights set • Thursday, September 19, at Louisville celebrating freedom, courage, and headquarters. equality being issued in 2013. It is being The fun, issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever • Thursday, October 17, at Louisville educational stamps are always equal in value to the headquarters. children’s current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate. • Thursday, November 21, at Louisville publication headquarters. will be made available • In December there is no meeting. to local human rights New publications commissions from the commission so that they can duplicate by Karen Crooks-Davis the book Kentucky Commission on Human Rights for distribution throughout their cities Executive Secretary to the Director and counties. The book is produced as part of a partnership initiative Civil Rights Directory with the U.S. Dept. of Housing and The Kentucky Commission on Human Urban Development that has helped Rights has compiled a Civil Rights the commission conduct several fair Directory containing more than 500 state Above, Phyllis Arnold, manager of the Martin Luther housing promotions over the last one and national contacts. The purpose of year period. King Jr. U.S. Post Office Branch in Louisville, and the publication is to provide community Kentucky Human Rights Executive Director John leaders and members of the public with Call the office at 1.800.292.5566 for a Johnson, display the new stamp of the “Mother of the contact information for government printed copy or download it from the Civil Rights Movement,” the late Rosa Parks. and non-government agencies and website at kchr.ky.gov. organizations dedicated to civil rights and social justice. Lest We Forget, a pictorial civil rights Commission Meeting history booklet Schedule The diverse As a tool to promote and support groups in National Black History Month in The Kentucky Commission on Human the directory February, the Kentucky Human Rights Rights meets on a regular basis to represent Commission published a booklet rule on discrimination complaints for persons of with historical facts and photographs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The color, women, important to the journey toward meetings listed are open to the public. children, older equality in America. Each is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Americans, the time zone of the listed location. The people with Lest We schedule was approved at the January disabilities, Forget 2013 commission meeting and is as the LGBT highlights follows: community, major religious groups, labor the 50th • Thursday, March 21, at the unions, and civil liberties and human anniversary commission Louisville, Ky., rights groups. Fair housing advocates of significant headquarters, 332 W. Broadway, and stakeholders are especially events that Second Floor Conference Room. encouraged to use the directory as a occurred in clearinghouse for contact information • Thursday, April 18, at Louisville 1963 at the useful in their work. Call the office at headquarters. height of the 1.800.292.5566 for a printed copy or American • Thursday, May 16, at Louisville download it from the website at kchr. Civil Rights headquarters. ky.gov Movement. The commission used the • Thursday, June 20, in Murray, Ky. 12 booklet at several outreach events. It Employment, Business Affairs & show students how they can achieve a was widely distributed and has been so Economic Development Council. “We college education. It also highlighted the requested that it is now out of print believe this process will help open the role of parental involvement and early until further funding can be obtained. door for these vendors to participate preparation in facilitating successful However, it can be downloaded from in the procurement of government access to college for African Americans. the website at kchr.ky.gov. contracts.” It is part of the KCTCS Super Sunday Recently the Office of Procurement statewide effort to encourage early Services met with state agencies and planning for college and the involvement State Implements provided information on how to locate of community members as mentors for New Procurement ethnic minority vendors. This included young people, KCTCS officials said. using eMARS, the state’s procurement To learn more about the annual Super Process for Minority system, and the SMALL BUSINESS Sunday event visit the website at CONNECTion website (kentucky.gov/ supersunday.kctcs.edu. Or, call Natalie Vendors sbc/default.aspx). Gibson, system director for Cultural Diversity at the Kentucky Community by the Office of Agencies must document which and Technical College System in Governor Steve Beshear businesses are solicited when quotes Upon recommendation from the are issued and note which vendors Versailles, 859.256.3551. Governor’s Minority Employment, are ethnic minority businesses. The Business Affairs & Economic success of this new process will be Development Council, the Finance measured by the increase in minority and Administration Cabinet is now businesses registration in eMARS, Black History Month requiring executive branch agencies the increase in solicitations issued highlight: Hamilton’s to reach out to ethnic minority to ethnic minority businesses, the vendors when possible to contract for increase in quotes received from Spirit of Freedom goods or services. ethnic minority businesses, the increase in the number of contracts honors black civil war “Doing business with the awarded to ethnic minority businesses Commonwealth is not just for large and ultimately the increase in dollars soldiers companies,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. spent with ethnic minority businesses. A sculpture created by Louisville, Ky., “With this initiative, we are specifically native and well-known artist Ed Hamilton asking agencies to widen their is featured in this year’s calendar solicitation reach and try to work published by the U.S. Capitol Historical with ethnic minority businesses on Super Sunday for Society. smaller contract opportunities or figure out what portions of a contract minority students The District of Columbia Commission on can be fulfilled by an ethnic minority the Arts and Humanities in 1993 business.” seeking college commissioned Hamilton to create the “Spirit of Freedom” after an arduous The Small Purchase Authority education is annual competitive process. guidelines allow executive branch event agencies to solicit and contract for goods and services between $1,000 The Kentucky Community and Technical and $20,000 depending on the College System (KCTCS) conducted its specific authority granted to the third annual Super Sunday initiative on agency. Under these new guidelines, Sunday, February 24. agencies who use their Small Purchase KCTCS Super Sunday is an annual Authority must solicit at least one student recruitment initiative specifically quote from ethnic minority vendors. targeting African American students Large procurement contracts are and their families, with information and facilitated by the Finance Cabinet’s resources to support college admissions Office of Procurement Services. and enrollment. “We felt a large percentage of ethnic KCTCS and each of its 16 colleges minorities were being precluded from partnered with African American doing business with the state because churches throughout the state to host they lacked the capacity to handle college information fairs for prospective large contracts,” said Dee Dee Harbut, college students and their families. chair of the Governor’s Minority The day promoted higher education to 13 The 9’1/2” bronze consists of a front The infantry was depicted in the because the candidate checks the box high bas-relief and lower relief on the American film, “Glory,” made in 1989, for that shows he or she has a criminal backside. The backside consists of a which African American actor Denzel background. family group as the soldier, a son, leaves Washington won his first of two Academy Fisher told the group that the Kentucky for the war. The front has three infantry awards; this one was for Best Supporting Human Rights Commission supports soldiers and a sailor as protectors of the Actor. restoring voting rights to former fight for freedom. It was completed in Information about the monument is felons once they have completed their early 1997, installed on the two foot attributed to Ed Hamilton’s website at sentences. high round base on July 16, 1998, and edhamiltonworks.com; information about dedicated on July 18, 1998. It stands related civil war history is attributed to The Northern Kentucky Re-Entry Project at the corner of 10th and U Streets in the website, 54thmass.org, maintained is planning a number of future meetings Washington, D.C. by a volunteer organization dedicated to to inform their clients directly about preserving history of the regiment. their civil rights and Fisher plans to make The monument represents the 209,145 presentations to the former felons and African Americans who fought for the their families at the meetings. United States Union forces during the Civil War. Commission’s Fisher New executive The uniformed soldiers in the sculpture represent the men from the 54th speaks to government director for Bowling Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, group designed to Company B. The 54th Regiment Green Human Rights Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry saw assist former felons Alice Gatewood extensive service, and the regiment was Waddell was recently one of the first official African American selected as the new Kentucky Commission units in the U.S. during the Civil War. executive director of on Human Rights the Bowling Green- The regiment gained recognition on Northern Kentucky Warren County Human July 18, 1863, when it spearheaded an Office Field Supervisor Rights Commission. assault on Fort Wagner near Charleston, John C. K. Fisher gave South Carolina. At this battle, its leading a presentation on Jan. She was previously officer was killed, along with 29 of his 24 to the Northern an art teacher for the men, 24 more later died of wounds, 15 Kentucky Re-Entry 11th Street Alternative School in Bowling were captured, 52 were missing in action Project members. The Green. She also conducted art programs and never accounted for, and 149 were group helps former felons transition into for children at the Graham Drive branch wounded. The total regimental casualties jobs and housing. of the Warren County Public Library. of 272 would be the highest total for the 54th in a single engagement during the The event was held at the Northern The commission had been without an war. Although Union forces were not Kentucky Re-Entry Project office, which executive director since October 2012, able to take and hold the fort (despite is a division of the Kentucky Dept. of when former Executive Director Linda taking a portion of the walls in the initial Corrections, and is located in the Catholic McCray stepped down after several years assault), the 54th was widely acclaimed Social Services office on Church Street in of service. for its valor during the battle, and the Covington. Fisher spoke about helping Commission Chair Wathetta Buford said event helped encourage the further felons understand their rights to fair she welcomes the new director, and the enlistment and mobilization of African housing and jobs under the Kentucky state commission also welcomes her. American troops, a key development Civil Rights Act. that President Abraham Lincoln once The Northern Kentucky Re-Entry Project noted as helping to secure the final is supporting measures to restore civil Women’s History victory. Decades later, Sergeant William and voting rights to former felons, as Harvey Carney was awarded the Medal well. Month is March of Honor for grabbing the U.S. flag as the It supports a proposal to “ban the box,’’ by the Office of Governor Steve Beshear flag bearer fell, carrying the flag to the which would ask employers to not enemy ramparts and back, and singing Commission on Women, along with check a prospective employee’s criminal “Boys, the old flag never touched the Gov. Steve Beshear, honored three background before giving him or her a ground!” While other African Americans distinguished Kentucky women for face-to-face interview first. had been granted the award by the time their illustrious careers and significant it was presented to Carney, Carney’s is The purpose of “banning the box’’ is contributions to the commonwealth. the earliest action for which the Medal to give a former felon a chance to try Lois Howard Gray, Thelma Stovall and of Honor was awarded to an African for a job before a potential employer Mary Eugenia Wharton were inducted American. automatically disregards an application posthumously into the “Kentucky

14 Women Remembered” exhibit. As part Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. She of the honor, their portraits will be During World War II, she served as a was appointed as a member emeritus of displayed alongside past inductees in the lieutenant in WAVES (Women Accepted the Kentucky Commission on Women by state Capitol. for Volunteer Emergency Service) Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins. As part of the celebration, Beshear from 1943 to 1946. In 1960, Gray and Mary Eugenia Wharton proclaimed March “Women’s History her husband founded the James N. (Jessamine County, Month.” Gray Construction Co., a commercial 1912-1991) Mary “Kentucky Women Remembered,” construction company based in Glasgow. Eugenia Wharton overseen by the Kentucky Commission The company grew quickly in its early valued field studies on Women, began in 1978 and consists years, but the untimely death of her in botany and was a of portraits depicting outstanding husband left the company without its pioneer for women in women in Kentucky’s history. The exhibit leader. the field. She found a permanent home in the Capitol Despite being advised by auditors and received her in 1996 after many years of traveling business associates that a construction bachelor’s degree in botany and geology around the state. company was not a business for a at the University of Kentucky and her woman, she decided to continue the master’s and doctoral degrees from the The Kentucky Women Remembered University of Michigan. Committee selects up to three Kentucky family business. She and her sons took women annually to become part of the over the business and grew it into one After a couple years of brief teaching exhibit. Nominees must have been born of the top design-build contractors in jobs, she accepted a position at in or spent a significant part of their the nation. Gray was honored as the Georgetown College where she taught lives in Kentucky and may be living or 2002 National Business Woman Owner classes for 30 years and became the head deceased. of the Year by the National Association of of the biology department. In addition Women Business Owners. In addition to to teaching, Wharton was an avid writer. “For years, many contributions women her successful business career, Gray was a She searched for plants throughout have made in the fabric of Kentucky tireless community advocate. Kentucky, gathering data that she would history have gone unnoticed and later use in her books. unrecorded,” said Eleanor Jordan, Thelma Stovall executive director of the Kentucky (Hart County, 1919- She collaborated with Kentucky Commission on Women. “This annual 1994) At age 15, wildlife author Roger Barbour on field ceremony and recognition of women’s Thelma Stovall went guides such as “Wildflowers and Ferns history month is our way of writing some to work at the Brown of Kentucky” and “Trees and Shrubs of of those women back into history and & Williamson Tobacco Kentucky.” The breadth of her interests highlighting how significant their roles Co. in Louisville to and her love of the Bluegrass were have been to the Commonwealth.” help the family’s reflected in other publications such finances. Her single as “Horse World of the Bluegrass” and With the three current inductees, the mother was raising two children during “Peach Leather and Rebel Grey.” Her last exhibit boasts 68 portraits of outstanding the Great Depression. At Brown & book, “Bluegrass Land and Life,” was women in Kentucky. Williamson, Stovall began her active also a collaboration with Barbour and is Lois Howard Gray involvement in organized labor and considered to be the result of a lifetime remained a strong friend of the Kentucky of research on the “Inner Bluegrass Barren County, labor unions throughout her long career region.” 1920-2012) Lois in public service. Howard Gray was one She was one of the original founders Beginning in 1950, she advanced the of Kentucky’s first and of the Land and Nature Trust of the status of women in Kentucky politics most successful Bluegrass and served on the board of as the first woman to hold elective female entrepreneurs. trustees of the Kentucky chapter of the political office from Jefferson County in She was the cofounder Nature Conservancy. In addition to her the Kentucky House of Representatives. with her late husband research and writing, Wharton’s legacy She served three terms in the state of one of the country’s includes the 278-acre Floracliff Nature House before being elected Kentucky’s highly regarded construction companies, Sanctuary in southern Fayette County, secretary of state for three terms: 1956- Gray Construction. where people can learn about the 60, 1964-68 and 1972-75. environment and conduct research. Gray earned a Bachelor of Arts She also served as Kentucky state degree in history and English from She found several rare species of treasurer for two terms: 1960-64 and Transylvania University. She continued plants, including an unnamed species 1968-72. In 1975, she was elected the her postgraduate work in fine arts at of dewberry in Montgomery County first female lieutenant governor in the University of Kentucky and Western in 1942 that was named in her honor – Kentucky. As lieutenant governor, she Kentucky University, before earning a Rubus whartoniae. vetoed the General Assembly’s rescission master’s degree in art education from of its ratification of the Equal Rights 15 Kentucky Commission On Human Rights 332 West Broadway, Suite 700 Louisville, Kentucky 40202

ALL DOORS ARE OPEN IN KENTUCKY

For help with illegal Kentucky Commission on Human Rights discrimination in housing, All Doors Are Open in Kentucky employment, public Live Free From Housing Discrimination accommodations, or financial transactions, Welcome! It is against the law to discriminate against any person who seeks to rent or own contact the Kentucky housing in Kentucky. You have the right to the housing of your choice regardless Commission on of your race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex and familial status Human Rights (protects pregnant women and families with children under 18 years-old). It is 1.800.292.5566 illegal to retaliate against any person who makes a discrimination complaint to TDD 502.595.4084 the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. kchr.ky.gov

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U. S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.