Via press release
Louisville, KY – Emerge Kentucky, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, announced the graduation of 24 new alums from the Class of 2024. These powerful women will join Emerge Kentucky’s network of 313 Emerge women as they go on to transform Kentucky both on the ballot and in office as the state’s future leaders and public servants.
These women come from communities across Kentucky, have unique backgrounds, experiences, and identities that will serve to represent the incredible diversity of the state, and will look to repower Kentucky’s political structures as public servants, changemakers, and elected officials.
“We are so proud of our Class of 2024 for completing the Emerge program and are excited to see what they will accomplish next,” said Blair Haydon, Executive Director of Emerge Kentucky. “Our newest alums will join our network of Emerge women in transforming the face of Kentucky politics. At a time when our communities desperately need more elected officials who they can identify with, our alums represent the unique diversity of identities and experiences that make up Kentucky and are empowered with the tools they need to fight for their communities at every level. We know they will go on to do great things as leaders and elected officials.”
The Emerge Kentucky Class of 2024
Dencia (Miche) Branscum, Franklin County
Emily Craddock, Jefferson County
Molly Gene Crain, Fayette County
Destiny Etheridge, Jefferson County
Deborah (Deb) Flowers, Boone County
Paulisa (Nicole) Lewis, Jefferson County
Ilena Renee Mitchell, Madison County
Shaun Spencer, Jefferson County
Wilanne Stangel, Kenton County
Catherine (Cat) Vining, Jefferson County
Shreeta Waldon, Jefferson County
Allison Warnersmith, Jefferson County
Maria Wilson, Jefferson County
Chiffon Winston, McCracken County
Emerge Kentucky has a proven track record for getting Democratic women elected. Since the organization launched in 2009, the program has equipped over 300 women with the skills needed to bring change to their communities. Forty-six alums are currently elected and serving, including Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman.
Nationally, Emerge has trained more than 5,000 alums since 2002 and currently has more than 1,000 alums in elected office across the country. The organization is committed to reaching 100,000 women of the New American Majority over the next 15 years, fostering a lift-as-you-climb culture for women in politics, and repowering political structures. There are currently 27 state affiliates, and the organization has impacted a total of 45 states, Washington, D.C., and territories.
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