Equality, Equity, and Social Justice for ALL
Welcome anyone and everyone who believes in equal rights for all! We are here to join the momentum for social justice. We were inspired by the gathering of over 700 people at the National Women’s March, January 21, 2017. We want to continue to work as a grass roots group the way that the National Organization for Women was founded. We will continue to support the BIPOC community by raising awareness of events, opportunities to speak up, continued education and support throughout the region. We would be more than willing to partner towards positive change. Contact us if you, or your organization, would like to work together or needs support.
We meet every 1st Thursday of the month. You can learn more about our efforts by perusing the website. We do have some committees that works towards some specific efforts, such as voting awareness, Fairness Campaign, NOW is the Time education series, and general chapter organization can always use some help. Email us at westkynow@gmail.com if you are interested?
Want to support us but don’t have time? You can still become a member, donate directly or to the social justice fund, like and share our social media pages, send us a note of encouragement or a suggestion. Feel free to pop into at meeting anytime to check in or see what is happening. We have ROOM FOR EVERYONE!
Contact
West KY NOW
PO Box 661
Murray , KY 42071
westkynow@gmail.com
Stay in Touch
Periodically, we send out emails with upcoming events, ways to support the community, and general information surrounding West KY NOW’s efforts. Can sign up here, or email us directly at westkynow@gmail.com
Donate
Want to support our chapter efforts and help us to continue to work towards positive change! Consider a donation to our chapter by using the links below. Donations can also be made in person at our next chapter meeting or event, or by mailing a check. Thanks for your support!
Featured Events
We are still looking for volunteers to help with our table at Murray KY Pride on Saturday, August 30! Shifts are for 2 hours from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. At our table we will have a water station, be writing postcards to politicians, registering voters, coloring Pride fans, and distributing sexual health resource bags. Oh yeah, and celebrating PRIDE! Sign up on our volunteer sign up sheet or email us westkynow@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
Below are some events that might be of interest. Also see the WKMS community calendar, The Murray Sentinel's Weekly Public Meeting Schedule, and the MSU Cinema International Schedule
August 2025
Tuesday, August 19
LGBTQIA+ August Gathering: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Goodwill Opportunity Center, 1601 Broadway, Paducah. Join us for a fun potluck (bring finger food) and a discussion on healthy relationships. Water & lemonade provided!
Saturday, August 23
“Disability Rights are Human Rights” Rally. 1:-00 pm to 3:00 pm. Benton. Organized by the Marshall County Human Rights Advocacy group.
Monday, August 25
Breakfast with the Hummingbirds, 7:30 am to 11:30 am. Observe representatives from the Southeastern Avian Research Organization trap, size and band these tiny birds while enjoying a homemade breakfast in a beautiful setting. Attendees will be able to ask questions about the care and feeding of hummingbirds in their own yards and can participate by holding and releasing birds following banding. The event will be held at the home of John and Ann Hayes in Cadiz and pre-registration is required as attendance is limited and rain dates may be needed. The event is bring your own chair and a fee of $15 per person or two for $25 will be collected at the door. Register by email to kathyflbsrp@gmail.com and reserve a place and receive driving directions. Proceeds will support the Scholarship Fund of the Trigg County Democratic Woman’s Club
Marshall County Human Rights Advocacy Meeting. 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A speaker from Lotus will share about red flags. Organized by the Marshall County Human Rights Advocacy group.
Thursday, August 28
“Developing Trail of Tears Interpretation at Land Between the Lakes,” 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. McCracken County Public Library (555 Washington St., Paducah). This presentation will share an overview of the history of the Trail of Tears, a specific focus on the water route, and the current collaborative effort to create public interpretation at Land Between the Lakes. Presentation by Christopher Thornock is an archaeologist, tribal liaison, and the Heritage Program Manager at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Friday, August 29
Murray KY Pride: Pride kicks off in Murray with bowling at Corvette Lanes (free) and Paint Your Partner at MAG (preregistration required: choose the 6 pm session or 8 pm session)
“Gathering for Change: A Showcase of Local Women in the Arts,” 7:00 pm, Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah.
Saturday, August 30
Murray KY Pride: Celebrate Pride with a day full of events in Murray. The March starts at Corvette Lanes at 10 ending at Downtown Murray, where most of the events will take place. There will be Drag Bruch, Poetry from Charley Allen, music, comedy, speakers and more!
Volunteer at the West KY NOW table at Murray KY Pride. 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. Help us celebrate pride in Murray by volunteering to work our table at Murray KY Pride! Sign up on this google doc
PHPG: Black Film & Filmmakers Festival: 9:30 am-7:00 pm. Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah. PHPG announces the first Black Film and Filmmaker Festival in the Jackson Purchase of KY. PHPG is collaborating with the The Kentucky BIPOCU Filmmakers Association (KBFA) for this event. KBFA has curated Kentucky filmmakers films for this event. Tickets can be purchased for individual blocks or a full day pass.
Sunday, August 31:
West KY NOW Human & Equal Rights (HER) Committee Meeting. 7:00 pm, Pamela’s House, Murray (email westkynow@gmail.com for directions)
September 2025
Tuesday, September 2
Opening Reception for "Shifting Landscapes: A Photographic Chronicle of Humanity and Nature in Western Kentucky," 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Mary Ed Mecoy Hall Gallery, on the 6th floor, Price Doyle Fine Arts Building at MSU. Works by Dr. Kate S. He, Professor of Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, and me, Cintia Segovia Figueroa, Assistant Professor, Photography and New Media, Art And Design, focusing on the historical and environmental changes in the landscape and society in parts of western Kentucky through photographs and archival images.
Thursday, September 4
West KY NOW Chapter Meeting, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, 204 S. 4th Street, Murray.
MSU Reading Series: Frank X Walker 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Curris Center Ballroom, 3rd floor, Murray. The Department of English and Philosophy at Murray State University is pleased to welcome acclaimed author and artist Frank X Walker as the 2025 Clinton and Mary Opal Moore Appalachian Writer in Residency. Walker will share his work on Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Curris Center Ballroom on Murray State’s campus. The event is free and open to the public
Thursday, September 11
Juror Talk with C. Rose Smith, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.Clara Eagle Gallery, Murray. C. Rose Smith, the juror for “The Magic Silver Show: The Elena Diane Curris Juried Photomedia Exhibition 2025," will visit campus to present a juror’s talk. There will be a reception following the talk. This is free and open to the public.
Saturday, September 13
Local Licks Music Festival and Fundraiser 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Paducah Beer Wers. 5th Annual ALL DAY festival/fundraiser for The Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. Free but donations appreciated
Thursday, September 18
Dr. Karen Petrone Sid Easley lecture “Vladimir Putin and Russian Memory of the Second World War,” 7:00 pm, Wrather Museum Auditorium, Murray. Dr. Petrone’s talk will be based on the book she is currently writing about Vladimir Putin and Russian Memory of the Second World War. Although it began more than 85 years ago, the Second World War (or the Great Patriotic War as Russians call it) is central to contemporary Russian nationalism and patriotism and to the legitimacy of the Russian state. Vladimir Putin has even used the memory of the Second World War to justify Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The intensity of Russia's preoccupation with World War II, and the ways that the war has been sacralized, mythologized, and reimagined as contemporary living history are unique to Russia. This presentation explores the crucial role that memory of the Second World War plays in Russia today.
Saturday, September 20
West KY NOW Young Feminists Meetup, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm, Sweet Dots (1303 Chestnut St.), Murray
Monday, September 21
West KY NOW Bodily Autonomy committee meeting, 8:00 am. Future Grounds (1201 Payne St) Murray.
Tuesday, September 23
West KY NOW Women & LGBTQ+ Health committee meeting. 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The Stables (520 Main St. Murray) or Via zoom.
Sunday, September 28
West KY NOW Human & Equal Rights committee meeting, 7:00 pm. Pamela’s House (email for address), Murray
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”