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!

West KY NOW’s statement in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2025)

West KY NOW stands AGAINST Domestic Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Assault

The West Kentucky chapter of the National Organization for Women (West KY NOW) recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness, and in alignment with our core value to End Violence Against women, we affirm our stance against Domestic Violence, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault. Recent and historic instances in our region and across the nation have illuminated the unfortunate persistence of sexual violence in our communities and the necessity to publicly speak out.

West KY NOW Stands With Survivors

We acknowledge the pain and difficulties survivors face, including barriers to reporting and healing. We recognize the additional challenges faced by teen-aged and young adult survivors, who are particularly vulnerable, may be less familiar with their rights, and may face additional barriers to accessing support. 

West KY NOW stands AGAINST INJUSTICES

We are concerned about the numerous instances of injustices faced by various survivors from officials who were in positions to fully investigate reports, mitigate harm, and ensure the safety of individuals. These include significant delays between the filing of initial allegations and the eventual suspensions and arrests. Such delays increase distrust in the local, state and federal judicial structures. 

We recognize the right of each individual to be fairly investigated. We acknowledge the delicate balance that needs to be maintained while pursuing transparency during timely investigations and at the same time protecting the privacy and safety of the survivor and the alleged perpetrator. We also believe that meaningful steps need to be taken to ensure healthy work and home environments, without fear of retribution or backlash against those who speak out and raise concerns about impropriety.

West KY NOW ADVOCATES for Change

We will continue to use our platform to speak in support of survivors including advocating for increased access to and funding for survivor support groups and prevention programming, as well as closing legal loopholes that put survivors at risk. We will continue to pressure officials, including local school boards, public prosecutors, city government and county executives, to fully investigate reported instances as well as conduct a transparent audit of current policies and procedures. We encourage local government officials to work with experts in the field to develop clear policies regarding reporting and reviewing complaints, hiring practices, and volunteer policies. Additionally we encourage local, state and national politicians to support the Violence Against Women Act and endorse the Equal Rights Amendment as important legislative mechanism to fight Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.

If you are in need of support, please contact:

• Lotus: children’s advocacy and sexual assault center. 1-800-928-7273

• Merryman House: Domestic Crisis Center 1-800-585-2686

• National Hotline for Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention: 1-800-950-6264, text 'NAMI' to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988.

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor 

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, the MSU Cinema International Schedule, and the Marshall County Public Library calendar of events. See The Murray Sentinel’s Civic Calendar for upcoming meetings

January 2026

Wednesday, January 29

Food rescue project organizational meeting, 6:00 pm. First Presbyterian Church, Murray. Please join with other concerned community members next week to help organize a food rescue project in our community. According to Food Rescue US, food rescue is the act of transferring fresh food that would otherwise end up in dumpsters to agencies serving the food insecure. Through strategic partnerships with local businesses such as restaurants and grocery stores, more food ends up in hungry bellies and less food ends up in the waste stream. Food rescue has two goals: Address the problem of hunger in local communities and Reduce food waste, which is a major contributor to global greenhouse emissions. Food rescue works through engaging local volunteers to transfer fresh food surpluses from local businesses to social service agencies serving the food insecure. And YOU can help get this effort off the ground in Murray! At this meeting, we will discuss: How food insecurity in Murray/Calloway County impacts families; The role food rescue can play in efforts to address hunger in our community; How community residents can get involved. Please visit foodrescue.us to learn more,

February 2026: Black History Month

Thursday, February 5

West KY NOW Chapter Meeting, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau, 204 S. 4th Street, Murray.

Saturday, February 7

Shop & Share 2026 for the Merryman House, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Kroger stores in Paducah and Murray! Paducah and Murray Kroger shoppers can SHOP for themselves and SHARE items with Merryman House volunteers on their way out the door. Volunteers will be set up all three Paducah Kroger stores and the Murray Kroger store from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Shop & Share is a one-day statewide initiative spearheaded by the Kentucky First Lady's Office in tandem with Kroger stores, ZeroV, and certified domestic violence programs across the Commonwealth. If you're unable to get out that Saturday but would still like to contribute, visit our website to donate or to find lists of items we need here: www.merrymanhouse.org/giving.

Sunday, February 8

Stop the Stigma Art Reception, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah. LivWell Community Health Services and Maiden Alley Cinema invite you to a special event focused on reducing HIV/AIDS stigma through the power of ART! Join us for an evening of awareness and creativity as we challenge misconceptions and misinformation related to HIV/AIDS. This reception will feature artwork made by local artists, an opportunity to meet and speak with artists, and resources to promote dialog and inspire change. All ages! Free Admission!

Thursday, February 12

KASAP Timely Tools: Supporting Immigrant Survivors: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Join us for a 2-part webinar series to learn about advocating for immigrant survivors! Presented by Leslye Orloff, Director of the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP), this series will equip advocates and others better support immigrant survivors of sexual violence.This series is open to staff and volunteers at Kentucky’s sexual violence resource centers, partners, and all interested community members. Session 1: Enhancing Protections for Immigrant Survivors will cover safety planning, confidentiality, and U and T visas for immigrant survivors. Register here:  https://forms.gle/YAS7gejp2FfNVZg66

Friday, February 13

West KY NOW supports MSU Women’s Basketball. 6:00 pm. CFSB Center, Murray. Join West KY NOW as we support the MSU Women’s Basketball team take on Valparaiso. The game is free and all are invited. Make sure to wear MSU colors. Meet at 5:45 pm inside the CFSB Center near gate B.

Thursday, February 19

A Story From the Metropolitan, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. McCracken County Public Library. The Hotel Metropolitan and the McCracken County Public Library have partnered to share A Story from the Metropolitan. Ms. Maggie Steed will take you on a journey into the past, featuring stories about some famous folks who were not so famous then. There will be live music and opportunities for audience participation. 

Thursday, February 26

KASAP Timely Tools: Supporting Immigrant Survivors: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Join us for a 2-part webinar series to learn about advocating for immigrant survivors! Presented by Leslye Orloff, Director of the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP), this series will equip advocates and others better support immigrant survivors of sexual violence.This series is open to staff and volunteers at Kentucky’s sexual violence resource centers, partners, and all interested community members.Session 2: Promoting Immigrant Survivor’s Access to Benefits, Health Care, and Protection Orders in Kentucky will address protection order options and concerns, follow-up healthcare options, and other benefits that immigrant survivors may have access to. Register here:  https://forms.gle/YAS7gejp2FfNVZg66

Friday, February 27

Showing of the Documentary of The Blinding of Isaac Woodard, 5:30 pm. Graves County Public Library. Drinks and charcuterie boards served during, limited number of copies of Unexampled Courage by Richard Gergel available to attendees. In 1946, Isaac Woodard, a Black army sergeant on his way home to South Carolina after serving in WWII, was pulled from a bus for arguing with the driver. The local chief of police savagely beat him, leaving him unconscious and permanently blind. The shocking incident made national headlines and, when the police chief was acquitted by an all-white jury, the blatant injustice would change the course of American history. The documentary is based on Unexampled Courage by Richard Gergel- and details how the crime led to the racial awakening of President Harry Truman, who desegregated federal offices and the military two years later. The event also ultimately set the stage for the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which finally outlawed segregation in public schools and jumpstarted the modern civil rights movement.

March 2026: Women’s History Month

Thursday, March 5

West KY NOW Chapter Meeting, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau, 204 S. 4th Street, Murray.

[Women’s History Month Event] West KY NOW hosts the showing of Fight Like Hell: The Testimony of Mother Jones, 7:30 pm. Faculty Hall 208, Murray State University. This adaptation of a one-woman play tells the life story of Irish-American activist Mother Jones, called “the most dangerous woman in America” for her labor organizing during the Gilded Age. Writer/star Kaiulani Lee uses Mother Jones’s own words to create an immersive window into her thinking and era. The showing is part of MSU’s Cinema International Spring 2026 series.

Saturday, March 7

[Women’s History Month Event] West KY NOW hosts the showing of Fight Like Hell: The Testimony of Mother Jones, 7:30 pm. Faculty Hall 208, Murray State University. This adaptation of a one-woman play tells the life story of Irish-American activist Mother Jones, called “the most dangerous woman in America” for her labor organizing during the Gilded Age. Writer/star Kaiulani Lee uses Mother Jones’s own words to create an immersive window into her thinking and era. The showing is part of MSU’s Cinema International Spring 2026 series. Representatives from West KY NOW will lead the discussion.

Sunday, March 8: International Women’s Day

Dr. Christine Lindner’s presentation, "The History of the National Organization of Women: 60 years of Feminist Activism" Department of History Spring Lecture Series, Calloway County Public Library, Murray