For Immediate Release:  October 7, 2003

Contact:  Carol E. Jordan 502-564-2611           

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclaimed in the Capitol

Frankfort, KY - Today at the Capitol, Governor Paul E. Patton proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, as he has done each year of his two administrations. The Governor and First Lady Judi C. Patton leave a long legacy of work to combat the fear and violence in the homes of Kentuckians. “I knew from the beginning of our Administration that I could not sit idly by as women and children in Kentucky feared for their safety in their own homes. I knew as First Lady that I could give the issue of domestic violence a platform, and that we could make great strides in making Kentucky a leader in addressing this difficult issue,” said the First Lady.

Mrs. Patton has used her tenure as First Lady of Kentucky to bring attention to the issues of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. As First Lady, Mrs. Patton has accomplished significant changes in public policy, advocated for increases in funding for services, and has raised awareness of the issues, but she says, “I considered myself a victim advocate long before Paul was elected.  The inspiration for the work I do came from my mother, whose work as a social worker laid the groundwork for what I would do when given the opportunity to contribute as First Lady.”

“Judi’s role as First Lady in making Kentucky homes safer is one of the accomplishments during our time in the Governor’s Office about which I am most proud,” said Governor Patton. “I am honored that this legacy is ours to offer the women and children of this great Commonwealth.”

“The legacy of this First Lady and this Governor in addressing violence against women was created in honor of all victims of abuse whose names we did not know, but on whose behalf we worked,” said Carol Jordan who has served during both terms of the Patton Administration as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services.  “It is in their names that the work was done and to their daughters and sisters, whose futures are safer because of their sacrifice, that the work is now dedicated,” said Ms. Jordan.