gender equity in louisville

GENDER EQUITY

IN LOUISVILLE

In these pages, we have honored and continue to celebrate Louisville women past and present who have advanced the cause of gender equity in our city. As we observe Women’s History Month, Gretchen Hunt, Executive Administrator of Louisville Metro Government’s Offi ce for Women (OFW), is just settling into her new position. “The thread that has run through my career is equity and elevating women.”

BY DAWN ANDERSON COURTESY PHOTO

Gretchen Hunt has worked as Immigration Attorney for the Center for Women and Families. She served the Kentucky Attorney General as Director of the Offi ce of Victim Advocacy and the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) as a staff attorney. Hunt worked with Governor Beshear’s offi ce to resolve the state’s rape kit backlog, taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Louisville and Brandeis School of Law, and is a nationally-recognized consultant on the subject of human traffi cking. She was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2019 and most recently served as Emerge Kentucky Executive Director.

The Offi ce for Women was formed in 1991 following a high-profi le domestic murder-suicide involving two public school teachers in Louisville. According to Hunt, “Unfortunately, it was one of my beloved teachers who perpetrated the terrible crime and it had a ripple effect through the community and in my life.” Over thirty years later, Hunt’s background in reducing gender-based violence helped land her the Executive Administrator position.

“Mayor Fisher elevated the Offi ce for Women to be within the Offi ce of Equity,” says Hunt, which is a signifi cant shift “centering racial equity within the work.” The offi ce is vital because it serves 52% of Louisville’s population. “Its purpose is to help women achieve their potential regardless of their circumstances.” OFW’s broad focus includes violence against women, human traffi cking, social and economic well-being, housing, education, civic engagement, and autonomy.

Hunt sees it as her duty to promote OFW programs and services, increasing their availability and communication. “I intend to partner with the community, working together, better and smarter, to elevate women. The COVID pandemic has made clear the disparities and gaps in services for women, such as childcare issues, leaving the workforce, domestic violence, and the housing crisis. Black women and women of color, in particular, have been hardest hit and deserve particular focus and attention.”

For more information, visit louisvilleky. gov/government/offi ce-women. To engage with the Offi ce of Women directly on issues such as diaper need or becoming an ambassador, reach out to Gretchen.Hunt@Louisvilleky.gov. Follow @OFWLouisville on Facebook for events and updates. HUNT’S IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES AS SHE TAKES OFFICE ARE ADDRESSING HOUSING, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ON THE RISE, AND DIAPER NEED FOR THE ONE-THIRD OF FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR BABIES.

Louisville Metro Council recently launched its inaugural Women’s Caucus for gender equity with presentations from the OFW and Metro United Way. The OFW is also forming a gender-equity working group within Metro government and an Ambassadors project for women across the city. “Ambassadors for the offi ce will learn more and be advocates for their communities, mainstreaming gender equity with diversity in participation.”

Short-term projects and goals are to “get out in the community to hear from community leaders, to raise the status of women with bold ideas to move the needle on gender equality, and necessary structural changes.” Hunt’s long-term goals and vision for the OFW are “to change the statistics for those seeking housing, to reduce the frequency and severity of domestic violence, and to have more women leading with greater visibility, especially marginalized women.” When people think of Louisville, she wants them to know and feel that women are leading in this city. “Indicators rise when you empower women.”

Hunt’s advice for women trying to advocate for themselves in healthcare, at work, or politically is to work together and get support. “We are strongest when we are collaborating to advocate. And if you are already in a position of power, it is your responsibility to advocate for other women. Make change for other women, not just for yourself.” 