Bluegrass Bold: Stories of Kentucky Women

Includes a foreword by Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman

For centuries, Kentucky has been home to some amazing women: from Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon and the nation's only female Medal of Honor winner, to Sophia Alcorn, who created a way for those who were deaf and blind to communicate. Martha Layne Collins was Kentucky's first and only woman governor, and Georgia Davis Powers was the first African American and first woman elected to the Kentucky Senate. Then there's Margaret Ingels, the second woman in the nation to become an engineer, and Rose Will Monroe, the real "Rosie, the riveter" of World War II.

From scientists to engineers, activists, politicians, writers, actors, and more, Bluegrass Bold celebrates 36 Kentucky women who helped improve the state and the world beyond. Portraits by Kentucky woman artists accompany each profile.

Be inspired. Be bold. Be you.

About the Authors

Carly Muetterties, PhD, is the Director of Curriculum Design at Summit Learning. In May 2020, she earned her doctorate in education sciences from the University of Kentucky, focusing on social studies curriculum and instruction. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Carly was a high school social studies teacher at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky. She also holds a bachelor's degree in social studies education and three master's degrees (history, German, and education).

As a teacher, returning student, and curriculum designer, she has worked on several projects with educational organizations, including C3Teachers, the Frazier History Museum, the Prichard Committee, Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and National Boards for Professional Teaching Standards, amongst others. She is the past executive director of the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies, where she focused on civic learning and education advocacy.

Carly is an alumnus of the New Leaders Council, an organization that works to recruit, train, and promote young civic leaders. They pushed her to take action and bring Bluegrass Bold to life. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

Maddie Shepard is a Deeper Learning Resource Teacher in the Curriculum Design and Learning Innovation Department of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. Maddie previously taught at the elementary level in Shelby County, Kentucky. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Kentucky, as well as a master's degree in education leadership and certification in education law from Indiana University.

Maddie is a past president of the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies. During her service, she helped to keep teachers informed and engaged in the social studies, especially civic education. She has served on the JCTA Board of Directors and the Kentucky Educators Association Board of Directors. Currently, she is treasurer of the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA) and a member of the Kentucky Humanities Board of Directors.

Maddie is an alumnus of the Emerge Kentucky program, which empowers women to run for public office, and a member of the Ignite Louisville class of 2020, a leadership program for young professionals.

Maddie has a daughter, whom she hopes is inspired to be bold like the women in the book. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky.