The Women's Network, Advocates for Democratic Principles, was established by a group of dedicated women in Central Kentucky who initially volunteered for the Lois Combs Weinberg Women’s Network in the 2002 U.S. After the election, a number of women in the Central Kentucky Network indicated a desire to continue to work together in a reconstituted network.. Two weeks and two days after the election, the chair of that network, Lillian Press, called together 13 talented members who had worked hard in the campaign and were eager to pursue and promote common goals. Specifically, they wanted to:
1. Focus the Democratic Party and its supporters on the principles which historically have informed Democratic philosophy.
2. Establish a broad-based statewide Women's Network.
3. Expand participation of women in politics and their role in policy decisions.
4. Educate Kentuckians about Democratic values. Remind voters that the system of public benefits brought to them by sustained and energetic efforts of Democrats has lifted millions of Americans out of poverty. Help them understand that public interest is the mark of Democrats, and that it is in their - the voters’- personal interest for a better future to support candidates who vale the public interest.
5. Identify civic concerns and pursue solutions addressing those concerns.
6. Organize women to motivate others to become politically active. Renewing their commitment to the mission and credos of the Democratic Party--with the ideal of securing a fair and just world in which Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms will reign—the Network women met and worked as a unit from November 20, 2002, until the first meeting of The Women's Network statewide Board on March 5, 2005
Meeting often, sometimes weekly, the founding members, all volunteers, (see Founding Executive Committee) wrote the Mission, Goals and Objectives and the Core Principles, embracing the Four Freedoms, all of which became the foundation for today's Network. Eight months after their first meeting, the Executive Committee—as they had dubbed themselves-- were ready to begin the organization of a statewide network. They had added three members to their original 13. They mailed a letter on July 28, 2003, inviting women across Kentucky to join The Network, and the memberships came flying in. Membership grew so rapidly, that in areas where it was organized, The Women's Network was able to supply many dedicated volunteers who won accolades for their performance, savvy, and commitment in every election since 2003 when they first were organized. Signature Network projects have already reached specified goals and made a difference in various parts of Kentucky. These include the work of the Task Force for New Voters ,(see link) created to reach out to and enroll new voters, the extensive Get-Out-the-Vote (see link) efforts by individual volunteers in every campaign, and sponsorship of annual forums which explore issues which implicate the principles the Network advocates; and the creation of The Women’s Institute for Policy Research, a “think tank” dedicated to primary research on those same issues. The Women’s Network has a state Board of Directors with members from across Kentucky, eight branches - Fayette, Metro Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Shelby Area, Barren River, Lake Cumberland, Purchase Area and the Central KY Branch that includes organized chapters in Franklin, Woodford , Jessamine and Boyle counties as well as members in the Greater Lexington area, including Scott, Bourbon and Clark counties. The Greater Hardin County branch works in conjunction with the state board. We promote a well-educated electorate by providing information on current local, commonwealth, and national issues through forums, presentations, and townhall meetings.
