Meet Diane

I grew up in Owensboro and came to Lexington in 1969 to attend UK. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration I started work as an accountant. In 1977, while being a stay at home mom, I started on a path that changed my life forever. I became a volunteer with the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center. As a volunteer I had my first success with grassroots lobbying with the passage of KYs Rape Shield law in 1978. In 1979 I became the Executive Director of BRCC. I returned to UK and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work and continued on to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

I became a passionate agent for change by lobbying for funding and laws at the local, state and national level. As a member of the Legislative Committee for the National Coalition Against Rape, I helped draft and lobbied for the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Later we were successful in passing the Violence Against Women Act. Both of these have been critical Federal Laws that provide rights for victims and funding for services.

I was a founding member of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) and was the chair of the legislative committee for almost 15 years. Through the lobbying efforts of KASAP much ground was gained. There was passage of state laws and increased funding for victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. I retired from BRCC after being the Director for 26 years. Under my leadership BRCC grew from a small, mostly volunteer agency, with a budget of $30,000 to over a million dollars a year and serving 17 counties with 8 offices.

I have also been, and continue to be, an involved community activist working for a variety of organizations. I have volunteered for various arts organizations, The Red Cross, AVOL, The Health Department, and the United Way. I have continued my political work and recently helped start Lexington Yellow Bikes, the Kentucky Classical Theatre Conservatory and am serving on the strategic planning committee for the Lexington Art League.

I have a love and passion for Lexington and my varied experience uniquely qualifies me to be an effective leader for the 3rd District and Lexington. I can dedicate the time the job deserves. I have the energy and commitment to work hard for you. Above all, I know how to get things done and don’t give up until I do. I hope to have the opportunity to continue my community service in a new way by being your representative on the council.