Renee speaks with Eleanor Jordan, executive director for the Kentucky Commission on Women (KCW) on the next edition of Connections, airing Saturday, July 5 at 3/2 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, July 13 at 11:30/10:30 a.m. CT on KET2.
Jordon first discusses her personal and professional background. Prior to her current position, she served in the state House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, lost a bid to represent the 3rd U.S. Congressional district, was appointed ombudsman for the Cabinet for Families and Children and worked as principal assistant for former Attorney General Greg Stumbo. She also talks about the recent Democratic race for the president, which she feels is likely to inspire young women and minorities to engage in the election and run for political office.
She goes on to talk about her role as head of the KCW. She explains how her past experiences –– being a single mom, divorced and struggling with finances –– help her understand many of the issues that are important to women in Kentucky.
Jordan gives a brief history of the KCW, including Gov. Beshear’s recent decision to move the organization into the west wing of the Capitol. She explains the KCW’s role in government, which includes working to improve the status of women in Kentucky, advising the governor and advocating for change in pubic policies relating to women.
She also discusses the concept of “comparable work,” which identifies jobs that require the same levels of work, education and experience. These jobs, she says, are historically performed by one gender or the other and therefore have radically different pay scales. For instance, her own mother was a maid who performed the same duties as a male custodian but received a much smaller salary.
Connections with Renee Shaw is a KET production, produced by Renee Shaw and Carolyn Gwinn. More information about Connections, including streaming video, is available at www.ket.org/connections.
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