By Steve Flairty
NKyTribune columnist
Thoughts of the amazing legacy of Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s only woman governor, ran through my mind recently while attending a tribute program for her at my local Woodford County Library.
Presenters spoke eloquently about her humble background growing up in Shelby County’s tiny community of Bagdad, grounding and helping her connect to common folks. They spoke of her later time as a junior high teacher in Versailles and her community involvement in the county. Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay expressed thanks for her support in his initial foray into politics as a state legislator. Lt. Gov. Coleman talked about how Collins paved the way for women like her to succeed in politics.
The influence of Collins was statewide and beyond, even internationally. Besides being elected Kentucky’s governor for one term starting in 1983, here are a few of what history records as significant accomplishments:
• Served as acting Kentucky governor for more than 500 days while serving as lieutenant-governor under John Y. Brown Jr, who spent time out of the state trying to attract business and industry.
• Spearheaded the coming of the Toyota car manufacturing plant to Georgetown, an amazing economic boon for the state.
• Made improvements to the state’s general public education system, including growth in higher education spending.
• Considered as a possible running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale.
• Saw a need for sports activity competitions that would include a wide-range of Kentuckians and established the Bluegrass State Games in 1985. Over 15,000 participate annually.
Note that after her gubernatorial term, she spent years in academia, including serving as the president of St. Catharine College, near Springfield, Kentucky, and executive scholar-in-residence at the state’s Georgetown College.
In 2014, I wrote a story in Kentucky Monthly regarding the approaching 30th anniversary of the Bluegrass State Games (BSG) and had the honor of interviewing Ms. Collins. We met at a local Panera’s in Lexington, and I found her to be highly intelligent, but very plain-spoken and with a gracious manner. She talked much about the details surrounding establishing her brainchild, the BSG, but we closed the interview with a discussion about improving our state’s education.
With she affirming me as a former teacher and with her starting her career likewise, it became a conversation rather than an interview. Feeling a sense of awe to be in the presence of an important part of Kentucky history, she made me feel as if I was the celebrity.
As a leader, it’s likely that she made a lot of other Kentuckians feel that way, too — probably a big reason why she was such a successful governor and contributed so much to our state’s welfare.
In Cynthiana, March 31 is the date for the annual Breakout Leadership Conference, and according to organizers, “now with refreshed tracks and a bold new theme. Choose your path in “Young Professionals,” Small Business & Entrepreneurs, “Women in Leadership,” or “Front & Mid-Level Managers, and walk away inspired, equipped, and ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and action.”
Yours truly will be the morning keynote speaker. Learn more at cynthianaleadership.com.
The Bluegrass Writer’s Coalition will present their 2026 Conference of Writers event on April 11 at the Frankfort Country Club, 101 Dunreath Street, Frankfort. The keynote address will be given by current Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell. Breakout sessions include “Writing in Layers,” “Mastering On-line Marketing,” “Historical Poetry: Uncovering the Past, Making Visible the Present,” “Shelf Appeal: How to Catch a Bookseller’s Eye,” and “Ask the Agent.”
Also, there’s a panel discussion with writers called “Research: the Foundation of Your Non-Fiction Masterpiece,” with Beth Dotson Brown, William F. Carman, Dr. Thomas Crowl, Jan Schiffer, and James B. Wells.
For further details, email conference@bluegrasswriterscoalition.com.
Last week, the Kentucky State High School Basketball Tournament completed their exciting girls’ and boys’ events for 2026. I discovered what seems to be a cool production in process revolving around interest in the subject in Kentucky and Indiana.
Bret Hopkins, along with Paul Allen, Angela Grimm and Caitlin Skinner of Unbroken Studios and Twin Fields media are developing a drama/comedy fiction series called March. And whether you’ve stepped on the hardwood as a player, sat or in many cases stood in the bleachers, watched on television or tuned in on the radio in Kentucky and Indiana, March is here.
According to Bret, “We may cheer for different teams, but what unites us all is our love of the game Dr. Naismith invented, and now we will invite the world to tune in, to sit in the bleachers to cheer on our friends, our family, our teams. This will be a live studio audience series,” he said. We welcome you to the court and see you at the game!”
Bret gave a synopsis of the story: “When a catastrophic stunt pushes a champion pushes a championship basketball program to mutiny, an embattled Central Kentucky coach is forced into a leave of absence. Seizing a chance opportunity to spend the off-season as an Indiana AAU staffer, he learns the approach to the modern game from the best of the best to reinvent his playbook, win back his community and return the team to Kentucky high school basketball glory. You can follow the latest news on the series on the MARCH – VIP Locker Room Facebook page.”
