RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2016
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A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY
OF SENATOR GEORGIA MONTGOMERY DAVIS POWERS.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMEMBERS TANDY, GREEN, SHANKLIN, WOOLDRIDGE, BRYANT-HAMILTON, JAMES, LEET, OWEN, HOLLANDER, MULVIHILL, KRAMER, BLACKWELL, WELCH, FOWLER, BUTLER, DOWNARD, STUCKEL, PARKER, DENTON, BENSON, JOHNSON, ENGEL, PEDEN, FLOOD, YATES, and ACKERSON
WHEREAS, Georgia Montgomery Davis Powers, the daughter of the late Ben Gore and Frances Walker Montgomery, was born on October 29, 1923 in Springfield, Kentucky. She transitioned peacefully on January 30, 2016 surrounded by her family.
WHEREAS, Georgia grew up in West Louisville on Grand Avenue with her parents and eight brothers. She attended Central Colored High School and Louisville Municipal College.
WHEREAS, A community activist and leader early on, Georgia led the Allied Organization for Civil Rights in promoting statewide public accommodations and fair employment law. In 1964, she was instrumental and one of the lead organizers of the March on Frankfort supporting equity in public accommodation and fair employment.
WHEREAS, Georgia's political career began in 1962 working for candidates Wilson W. Wyatt for US Senate, Edward T. Breathitt for Governor, Norbert Blume for Congress, and other local candidates. After working in the Blume for Congress campaign headquarters in the Seelbach Hotel for five years, Georgia became a candidate for the Kentucky State Senate, 33rd District.
WHEREAS, In 1967, Georgia Davis Powers made history breaking the gender and race barrier becoming the first African-American and the first woman elected to a full term to the Kentucky Senate. During her tenure in the State Senate, Powers advocated for legislation that improved education for the physically and mentally disabled, authored more than 150 bills, including statewide fair housing legislation, and sponsored bills prohibiting employment, sex a...
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