Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
TOP FEMALE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY CABINET OFFICIALS RECEIVE AWARDS

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The National Center for Women and Policing held its annual Leadership Conference this week in Lexington and five of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s top female administrators were among those honored.  During the Oct. 3 awards luncheon, 15 women from across the country were presented the “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award.”  This award is presented annually to women in leadership positions of federal, state and local criminal justice agencies who have attained upper-level or senior staff positions.

“Breaking the glass ceiling awards are a celebration of women's achievements in law enforcement. With only 12% representation of women in policing and an even smaller representation in managerial and executive positions, it is truly an accomplishment to attain these positions,” said NCWP Director Margaret Moore.  “The achievements of these women deserve acknowledgement for their commitment and performance.  The National Center for Women and Policing is the only nationwide resource for women police leaders and public safety organizations seeking to increase the number women in law enforcement and public safety.”

Those honored from the Department of Corrections were Deputy Commissioner LaDonna Thompson, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women Warden Cookie Crews and Green River Correctional Complex Warden Nancy Doom.

Thompson currently oversees Support Services for the Department which includes the budgetary and financial services area for the agency, along with Corrections Training, Information & Technology, and Offender Information. She started her career in Corrections in 1989 as an officer and worked her way up through the ranks. Thompson has received numerous awards during her career including her selection this spring as one of 55 participants for the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2007.

Crews is a 23-year veteran of the Kentucky Department of Corrections. She began her career as a correctional officer at the prison she now leads and she has served in a variety of capacities throughout the agency at several institutions. She was the Department’s 2007 “Warden of the Year.”

Doom, a 17-year veteran of Corrections, began her career in corrections as a Classification and Treatment Officer at the Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP). She held several positions at KSP before bring promoted to warden at Green River in July. In 2006, she was a recipient of one of the Kentucky Department of Corrections top awards, the “Commissioner’s Award,” given annually to only four individuals.

“All three of these women play significant roles within the Department of Corrections,” said Commissioner John D. Rees. “All have earned their titles and positions through hard work and they are each known throughout the agency for their diligence and tenacity, as well as intelligence.”

Honored from the Department of Juvenile Justice was Bridget Skaggs Brown who was appointed Commissioner of Kentucky's Department of Juvenile Justice on July 1, 2004, after serving briefly as the agency's Deputy Commissioner for Operations.  Previous to her entry into state government, Ms. Brown worked 20 years in the Louisville Police Department retiring from the rank of Colonel and serving in the capacity of Deputy Police Chief. 

Ms. Brown graduated with honors from the University of Louisville receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Police Administration and a Master of Science Degree in Justice Administration.

Honored from the Kentucky State Police (KSP) was Major Lisa Rudzinski, a 14 year veteran of KSP.  She is currently the deputy director of the Administration Division.  She began her career as a Trooper at the Columbia Post.  Additional assignments have included assistant academy commander, commander of the Governor's Highway Safety Program and nearly four years as the department's spokesperson. She is currently the highest ranking woman in the 1,000 member agency.

“These women are experts in their field and the award they received reflects the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout their careers,” said General Norman E. Arflack, secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.  “These women have chosen to make lives remarkable for children, families and communities across the Commonwealth.  Kentucky is fortunate to have women of this caliber within the Cabinet.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Colonel Linda B. Mayberry, (ret.), executive director of the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC).  Colonel Mayberry is a career police officer retiring from the Kentucky State Police following twenty four years of service.  She was ultimately appointed Deputy Commissioner, directing police operations for all divisions within the Kentucky State Police organization.

The National Center for Women & Policing has been working since 1995 to educate criminal justice policy makers, the media and the public about the impacts of increasing the representation of women in policing. Goals include ensuring that gender is always considered during the analysis of contemporary policing issues, and that law enforcement agencies strive for gender balancing their departments.