An hour-long documentary showcasing the role women have played in the history, growth and development of Kentucky will premiere with showings in Lexington, Frankfort, Louisville and Springfield, beginning next week.
Dreamers & Doers: VOICES of Kentucky Women profiles more than 40 women and their achievements, based on the Kentucky Women Remembered exhibit displayed in the state Capitol. The Kentucky Commission on Women, along with Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear, are hosting the premiere events (see schedule below).
Shortly after, preparations will be made to distribute the documentary to every middle and high school in Kentucky, as well as all public libraries in time for the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.
The documentary, produced by Michael Breeding Media, provides insight into the role women have played and their valuable contributions to the history, growth and development of Kentucky. It shows the impact women have had in science, literature, politics, arts, education, business, religion, athletics, entertainment and the military in Kentucky.
With major funding from Toyota, the Gheens Foundation, Frontier Nursing University and the Kentucky Arts Council, the documentary is a starting point for continuing research on the contributions of women, said Eleanor Jordan, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Women and executive producer of the documentary.
“It will be a catalyst to urge historians, educators, students and others to fill in more of the gaps while demonstrating how damaging the injustice of gender inequity in Kentucky history has been,” she said.
Highlighted in Dreamers & Doers: VOICES of Kentucky Women are such personalities as suffragette Josephine Henry; the first and only woman governor, Martha Layne Collins; African-American news reporter Alice Dunnigan; Appalachian author Verna Mae Slone; educator and reformist Nettie Depp; politician and businesswoman Mae Street Kidd; singer Loretta Lynn; pediatrician Dr. Grace James; U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Gudger Langley; and civil rights icon state Sen. Georgia Davis Powers.
As a former schoolteacher, Mrs. Beshear said she’s excited the documentary will be shown in schools across Kentucky.
Kentucky Commission Women Chair Madeline Abramson approached Toyota executives two years ago about funding the production of the documentary. Abramson also serves as an ex-officio member of the Commission on Women Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises funds for select commission projects.
“The Commission and its many partners have worked hard to complete this very important project in the history of women in Kentucky,” Abramson said.
Wil James, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc, said the film speaks to one of Toyota’s main tenets – respect for people.
“We are honored to be part of this project as it recognizes the untold contributions of so many Kentucky women,” James said. “These stories will inspire and empower our future leaders and innovators, helping them grow dynamically as they begin to shape our future.”
Gov. Beshear, Luallen and James will co-host the premiere and VIP reception at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort March 10. First Lady Beshear, an ex officio member of the commission, will co-host the Lexington premiere.
The premieres are free of charge, but a ticket is required to enter the theater. Call 502-564-2611 and ask for Donna, or visit www.women@ky.gov to reserve tickets for one or more premiere showings. A preview of the documentary is available here.
Frankfort
Tuesday, March 10
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
100 West Broadway
Frankfort
6 p.m.
Louisville
Monday, March 16
Clifton Center
2117 Payne St.
Louisville
6 p.m.
Springfield
Thursday, March 26
Pettus Auditorium
St. Catharine College
2735 Bardstown Road
St. Catharine
6 p.m.
Lexington
Thursday, April 9
Kentucky Theatre
214 East Main Street
Lexington
7 p.m.