CHAPTER 161
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1
CHAPTER 161
( HJR 49 )
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet to develop a Kentucky Women's
History Trail.
WHEREAS, throughout Kentucky's history, women have made renowned contributions to the growth and
strength of Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, many generations of women have helped advance the state through economic, cultural, and social
adversity, such as Laura Clay, a native of Richmond, Kentucky, who was the co-founder and first president of the
Kentucky Equal Rights Association and a leader in the American women's suffrage movement; and Mary Todd
Lincoln, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, who stood courageously by her husband, President Abraham Lincoln,
while they led our nation through some of the deadliest and darkest days of its history in the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, the women of Kentucky have consistently broken glass ceilings and blazed a trail for future
women in historically male-dominated fields such as aviation, music, and literature; and
WHEREAS, the list of remarkably talented Kentucky women is extensive and includes Willa Brown, a native
of Glasgow, Kentucky, who became the first African American woman in the United States to earn a pilot's license
and ultimately became the first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol, the first American woman to hold
both a mechanic's license and commercial pilot's license, and the first African American woman to run for the United
States Congress; Bobbie Ann Mason, a native of Mayfield, Kentucky, who is a novelist, short story writer, essayist,
and literary critic. In 1985, she published her first novel, In Country, which was made into a feature film. Her memoir
was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; and the coal miner's daughter, Loretta Lynn, who was born into poverty in
Butcher Hollow, Johnson County, Kentucky, married and left home at 15 years old, and ultimately became one of the
most beloved country music legends of all time. These great women paved the way and made it possible for future
generations of women to follow in their footsteps; and
WHEREAS, women continue to be leaders of social change, business, government, and more; and
WHEREAS, the sacrifices these and many other women have made have created a more fair and just society
for everyone;
NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, after consultation with the Transportation Cabinet and
all other relevant state and local agencies, shall develop the Kentucky Women's History Trail, which shall encompass
all geographic areas of Kentucky and be designated by historical markers. The cabinet shall develop:
(1) Criteria for an application process for nominations of accomplished Kentucky women to be honored
along the trail; and
(2) A system of placing historical markers designating the areas in which each honoree will be recognized.
Section 2. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet shall appropriate needed funds for this project in the
2025-2026 biennial budget, subject to the approval of the General Assembly.
Section 3. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet shall report strategies for the implementation of this
trail to the Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology by November 1, 2023.
Signed by Governor March 31, 2023.