Board of Directors Develops Statement
about Feminism
In extended discussions over a series of meetings, Board members shared their feminist values. They talked about how those values inform their vision and how KFW can help artists and activists make Kentucky a beacon of feminism for our region, our country, and women all over the world. At the meeting on June 28, 2006, Board members crafted the following statement about their collective vision of the transformative powers of feminism.
Feminism is a conceptual framework based on a radical transformation of society and self. Feminism challenges socially and politically defined gender roles and fosters greater opportunity, choice, and independence. Feminism creates economic equality, a violence-free society, and racial and ethnic justice. Feminism is an evolving process, which requires courage and advocacy.
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Kate Larken Receives
2010 KFW Sallie Bingham Award
Kate Larken and KFW Founder Sallie Bingham
Photo by Sue Massek
Story by Ellen Birkett Morris
Musician and MotesBooks publisher Kate Larken is the recipient of this year’s Sallie Bingham Award. The award recognizes Kentucky artists and activists who are leaders in changing the lives of women and girls across the state by engaging in and promoting feminist expression in the arts.
Larken served as a third generation editor for her family newspapers, the Carlisle County News and the Hickman County Gazette. She has also worked as an educator and traveled the state for the Department of Education with the Kentucky Writing Program.
Long known as a singer/songwriter, Larken became the publisher of MotesBooks in 2006. MotesBooks is an independent press featuring the work of many feminist writers and other new voices in Kentucky and beyond. She also runs EvaMedia, which she started in 2003. Larken recently received an Art Meets Activism grant to organize musicians and songwriters to record original songs on the subject of Mountaintop Removal coal mining and create a CD anthology of these songs. The project will encourage women musicians, educate citizens about the effects of mountaintop removal, and show the connections between feminism and environmentalism.
“Kate is a strong feminist, activist and multi-talented artist. While her work as a singer/songwriter is illuminating, she has extended her reach as publisher of Motes Books offering the work of writers that addresses important issues of the day. She provides an outlet for constructive and creative expression and education around issues of social justice that are vital to the well being of women and girls in Kentucky,” said KFW Executive Director Dr. Judi Jennings.
The award, named for KFW founder Sallie Bingham, was established under the leadership of then KFW Director Ann Stewart Anderson. It carries a $500 stipend. Winners are selected by nominations or by recommendation from the KFW staff or Board. Previous winners include fabric artist Alma Lesch, writer and arts mentor Judy Sizemore and playwright and actor Lorna Littleway. |
Gail Burrus Martin Receives
2007 KFW Sallie Bingham Award
By Judi Jennings, KFW Executive Director
Gail Burrus Martin was born in Franklin, Kentucky, and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, after her family moved there. She graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio. After graduation, she became a social worker and then moved on to the advertising department of the Dayton Daily News.
Gail came to Kentucky when she married Cornelius Martin, and they moved to Bowling Green, There, Gail worked as a full-time homemaker and mother following the births of their three children, Chad, Amber, and Coleman.
Gail is dedicated to education and the arts, and she has long been a respected community volunteer and activist on behalf of women. She served on the boards of the Western Kentucky University Foundation, the Capital Arts Foundation, the Hobson House (historic home) --to name just a few.
Gail became the first chair of the Women’s Studies Fundraising Council at Western Kentucky University. She and her husband Cornelius endowed the Gail Martin Faculty Development and Lecture Series, which provides travel and research opportunities to faculty, supports guest speakers, and funds the genderations colloquia luncheon series.
Gail joined the Board of the Kentucky Foundation for Women in September 2001, and has been an active leader ever since. She is the first Board member in my tenure as Executive Director (since 1998) to be elected to two consecutive three-year terms. Not only has she served KFW for six years, she led the Board as Chair for the last three years.
KFW would not be the strong and vibrant organization it is today without the hard work, dedication, intelligence, and creativity of Gail Burrus Martin. She participated as an active Board member during six, sometimes very tough, years of challenge, change, and growth. During these six years, Gail consistently demonstrated the highest integrity, the courage to deal with difficult issues, and an unwavering commitment to social justice. Gail taught me, as Executive Director, the value of having a strong and independent Board Chair. Personally, I am proud to describe her as a dear and valued friend as well as the Chairwoman of the KFW Board.
In closing, I must mention that following the tragic death of her husband last year, Gail grieved deeply but stayed on to complete her term as KFW Board Chair. Gail is a woman of strength and integrity. I am proud and happy to announce that Gail Burrus Martin is the recipient of KFW’s 2007 Sallie Bingham Award for outstanding leadership in women and the arts in Kentucky.
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