KENTUCKY — This week on "In Focus Kentucky," we’re celebrating Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions of women to U.S. history.

House Democratic leader State Rep. Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, is featured during this segment. She is the first Black woman caucus leader in the commonwealth’s history.

"When you think about it originally, that was not the way it was going to go," Stevenson said. "We had other plans ... but what we decided that we were all put here for a time such as this."

"When I served 27 years in the United States Air Force, I had to provide notifications and deal with the deaths of airmen who died for the promise of America. Now I'd like for them to still be here, to live their life. But since they're not, each of us owes them a debt of gratitude by engaging. What we need was to engage strategically, and I have that experience." 

She was elected at the end of 2024 as the new minority floor leader, the highest-ranking post for Democrats in the state House of Representatives.

"I would say that for me, in 2025 that we're still doing first, points to why we need an intervention," Stevenson said. "Whether you call it diversity, equity and inclusion, whether you call it anything, the fact that we're still having first points to, we still need to do something about what's in place that prevents people from excelling."

"I'm happy to be the first and lead the way so that others can come through that door. I want to leave it wide open so there's no doubt that we're here to stay, play and make the difference we know we can make. It is an honor to represent Kentucky." 

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.