Pamela D. Stevenson (born April 8, 1959) is an American politician, attorney, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. She is a Democrat and represents District 43 in the Kentucky State House.[1] In 2023, she unsuccessfully ran as the Democratic nominee in the 2023 Kentucky Attorney General election losing to Republican nominee Russell Coleman.[2]
Pamela Stevenson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 43rd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Booker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 8, 1959 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Thomas Shannon |
| Education | Indiana University, Bloomington (BS, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1984–2011 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Early life and education
editStevenson was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, attending Shawnee High School before transferring to Brown High School. She then served 27 years as a Judge Advocate General with the U.S. Air Force and retired with the rank of colonel.[3] Stevenson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Indiana University Bloomington in 1981, and in 1984 with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
In 2015, Stevenson founded the Stevenson Law Center, which offers legal representation pro bono to veterans and seniors.[4] Stevenson has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.[5][6]
Political activity
editStevenson was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2020, replacing Charles Booker, who instead ran for the U.S. Senate.
In November 2022, Stevenson announced her candidacy for Attorney General of Kentucky in 2023. She became the presumptive Democratic nominee after no other candidates filed for the Primary, becoming the first African-American woman nominated for the office in Kentucky.[7]
While in the state house, Stevenson became known for her impassioned speeches.[3] In March 2023, a speech she gave in opposition to the passing of Kentucky House Bill 470, which prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender youth and restricts school instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, went viral online.[8][9][10]
Stevenson made another speech on March 29, 2023, regarding Senate Bill 150, which similar to Kentucky House Bill 470, will prohibit all gender affirming healthcare for transgender people under 18 years of age.[11]
“We have created an environment of hate and then we look at them like there’s something wrong with them, First you hated Black people, then you hated Jews, now you’re hating everybody. So the question is, when it’s the only people left … will you hate yourself?”
Personal life
editStevenson is a Christian, and was ordained as a minister in 2023. She serves as an Associate Pastor at the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, in Louisville.[4]
She is married to Thomas Shannon, a professional photographer. They have two children together.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ "Legislator-Profile – Legislative Research Commission – Representative Pamela Stevenson (D)". Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ^ "Republican Russell Coleman, a former U.S. attorney, is elected KY attorney general". Lexington Herald Leader. November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Shanklin, Sherlene (April 2021). "Kentucky lawmakers have 'beautiful conversation' after emotional speech during debate". WHAS11. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ a b Marling, Sierra (9 February 2023). "Colonel Pamela Stevenson meets prospective voters at Berea's Nightjar". Richmond Register. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Col. Pamela Stevenson". Emerge Kentucky.
- ^ a b Stevenson, Pamela D. (November 1, 2019). "After my military service, I chose to be a catalyst for social change in the community". Courier Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ Watkins, Morgan (November 28, 2022). "Louisville Rep. Pamela Stevenson launches 2023 bid for Kentucky attorney general". Courier Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Rhodes, Christopher (March 14, 2023). "Black Kentucky Lawmaker Gives Passionate Speech Against Anti-Trans Bill". Yahoo! News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Ring, Trudy (March 30, 2023). "Kentucky Passes One of Nation's Worst Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws by Veto Override". The Advocate. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Hedrick, Chad (March 29, 2023). "Protesters escorted from House Chamber as controversial 'anti-trans' bill becomes law". WKYT. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Morava, Maria (2023-04-01). "Lawmaker delivers incredible speech as trans rights protesters storm hearing". PinkNews. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
External links
edit- Pamela Stevenson for Attorney General campaign website