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Commission on Human Rights
The governor reappoints Human Rights Commissioner Randolph Patton
Governor Steven Beshear has appointed for a second term Alma Randolph Patton of Owensboro, Ky., to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. She will continue to represent the 2nd Supreme Court District. Former Governor Ernie Fletcher first appointed her in 2008. Her new term will expire Sept. 12, 2012.
Commissioner Randolph Patton is a human resources and community relations specialist for the City of Owensboro. She is a gospel singer and the founder of the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation. The ARCF was established in 1993, and now 1,000 disadvantaged children participate in the annual back-to-school shopping event. To date, approximately 11,400 children have received new clothing and shoes, and were able to return to school with dignity.
She is past president of Leadership Owensboro and a former member of the United Way of the Ohio Valley Board of Directors. She is a member of the Owensboro Rotary Club and was one of the first three women admitted to the club, and the first African American to join. In 1997, the Owensboro Rotary inducted her as a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1981, she served on the Beaver Dam City Council, becoming the first African American in Ohio County elected to public office and the first woman elected to the council.
“We are glad that Commissioner Randolph Patton will continue her dedicated service to the people of Kentucky,” said John J. Johnson, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. "The work of protecting people from unlawful discrimination is crucial and we appreciate our commissioners who make this commitment," he said.
Commission Chair George Stinson and Executive Director Johnson awarded Commissioner Randolph Patton one of the agency’s “Unbridled Spirit for Justice” certificates for her work toward equality, social justice for all people and toward making Kentucky a better place to live.
Stinson appointed Randolph Patton co-chair of the committee on the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 50th anniversary commemoration, which will take place in 2010. The commission plans to celebrate with a variety of civil rights public awareness initiatives throughout the year including a special anniversary Civil Rights Conference for October 13 – 16 in Louisville.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and federal civil rights laws. These laws protect people from unlawful discrimination regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, familial status, and tobacco-smoking status. The law protects people in the areas of employment, public accommodations, housing and financial transactions.
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