22 Facts About Thelma Stovall

Thelma Loyace Stovall was a pioneering American politician in the state of Kentucky.

Thelma Stovall capped her career as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in the administration of her fellow Democrat, Governor Julian Carroll.

Thelma Stovall was the first woman to hold the office.

Thelma Stovall Loyace Hawkins was born in Munfordville, Kentucky on April 1,1919.

Thelma Stovall grew up around political activities: as a child she would hand out papers for her mother, who had become a precinct official in Louisville.

The family lived an austere, working class life, a fact Thelma Stovall never resented: "I don't think it hurt to do without," she said.

Thelma Stovall joined the Tobacco Workers International Union and became secretary of her local, TWIU 185.

Thelma Stovall kept that position for 11 years, and remained a stout supporter of labor unions throughout her later political career.

Thelma Stovall graduated from Louisville Girls' High School, then studied law at LaSalle Extension University in Chicago and attended summer school at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University.

Thelma Stovall became Louisville's first female state representative: she won election to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1949 and was re-elected twice.

Thelma Stovall joined the Young Democrats of Kentucky and served as a national committee member and then as the group's first woman president.

Ultimately, Thelma Stovall was elected Secretary of State three times, serving four-year terms beginning in 1956,1964, and 1972.

Thelma Stovall served two four-year terms as State Treasurer, beginning in 1960 and 1968.

In 1959, Thelma Stovall was secretary of state, the third-ranking office in Kentucky, when she discovered that the governor and lieutenant governor were both out of state.

In 1975, Thelma Stovall was the first woman nominated for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky by either major political party.

The repeal had come to her as a late attachment to another bill regarding state pensions and Thelma Stovall claimed a legal right to reject it on two counts: the Kentucky constitution did not permit bills dealing with more than one subject, and there was a Senate rule that prohibited the introduction of new bills in the final ten days of any legislative session.

Thelma Stovall did finish ahead of four minor candidates in the primary, but it would be her last race and the only loss of her career.

Thelma Stovall died in her sleep in Louisville at the age of 74.

Thelma Stovall was honored by being allowed to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

Thelma Stovall Park is located along the Green River in her hometown of Munfordville.

Thelma Stovall's portrait, painted by Louisville portrait painter Doris Leist, hangs in the Capitol and a plaque commemorating her achievements was placed there in 1982.

Thelma Stovall's portrait was painted by Grant County, Kentucky artist William Joseph Petrie in 1975.