Legacy in the Making: Keturah Herron’s Journey in Kentucky Politics
Keturah Herron made history in 2022 as Kentucky’s first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the House of Representatives, and again in 2024 as the state’s first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the Senate. She also carries the identities of being Black, raised in a single-parent household in Richmond, and having a family impacted by the opioid crisis and the criminal justice system. Herron’s journey from court-designated worker to policy strategist, and ultimately, to legislator, reflects both personal growth and an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the vision of a better world.
In 2016, Keturah Herron worked as a court-designated worker for the Administrative Office of Courts, where she was tasked with processing young people involved in the justice system. She had the lowest rate in the office for referring youths to court. When asked in a staff meeting about her success, she wasn’t quite sure how she had that outcome. So, she laid out her approach, which included reaching out to the families of the youth before doing anything else. She thought this was common sense, but she came to learn this was a strategy no one else in the office employed. This led to a change in the Administrative Office of Courts policy statewide, which was the first piece of policy Herron shaped.
A few years later, while speaking at an event about the effects of parental incarceration, Herron shared a personal story about the impacts on her own family. A representative from the ACLU approached Herron, urging them to bring their story to Frankfort and speak directly with lawmakers. That invitation sparked a deepened commitment to political advocacy, a shift that ultimately propelled Herron into the halls of power.
When Breonna Taylor was tragically murdered in 2020, Herron was working with the ACLU on policy reform. The heartbreak and injustice of that moment ignited a deep sense of disruption within them, compelling Herron to take their advocacy to new heights. Fueled by a sense of urgency, they joined forces with community members to push for change, ultimately leading the effort to get the Louisville Metro Council to ban no-knock warrants. Their work culminated in the successful passage of “Breonna’s Law,” a pivotal step in the fight for justice.
Today, as one of only nine Black LGBTQ+ women in state legislatures across the United States, Herron carries the weight of representing Kentucky and these intersecting identities with both pride and pressure. “I’m Kentuckian. I mean, I’m literally drinking my water out of a mason jar,” they say, summing up their connection to the land and people they serve.
But even as they embrace the pride of representation, the expectations are palpable. In a state where marginalized communities have long been silenced, Herron’s presence is an act of resistance and hope. For Herron, these identities aren’t just a set of labels; they’re the foundation of their work. “Who I am makes me qualified to represent Kentucky,” they say.
Growing up in a single-parent household, witnessing the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic on their family, and navigating the complexities of being a Black, queer, masculine-centered woman, Herron is intimately aware of the struggles many of their constituents face. But it’s these very experiences, they believe, that make them a stronger advocate for change.
At the core of their work is a commitment to youth empowerment. For Herron, young people hold the key to the future. “The beautiful thing about young people is that they have nothing to lose,” she says. “They’re not scared… They have stuff to teach us–how to connect with young people, how to use social media, how to get a message across.”
It’s not just about changing the present; it’s about shaping a better, more just world for the future. “The laws I make today, they’re going to impact young people much longer than they’re going to impact me,” Herron shares. “If these young people are saying this isn’t the society we want to live in, we need to listen to them.”
Herron’s vision is clear: a society where young people are empowered to create change, where future generations continue the work of fighting for freedom, and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. “The dream I have, I will never be able to see it all the way through,” they say. But she does her part, and she has faith in the young people after her to continue working toward the same dream of liberation for all.
Raised without knowing about Georgia Davis Powers, the first Black woman to serve in the Kentucky Senate, Herron later found inspiration in Powers’ resilience. On their first day in the Senate, Herron felt the weight of being the only Black woman to serve in the chamber since 1989. “If she can do that in 1968, how dare I be afraid today?” Herron thought, drawing strength from Powers’ trailblazing path.
But they didn’t just find inspiration in Powers’ story. Figures like abolitionist Angela Davis and Kentucky legend Muhammad Ali have also shaped Herron’s outlook. Ali’s famous words–“Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion”–serve as a constant reminder that barriers are made to be broken.
On the day of the 2025 Inauguration, Herron remains unwavering in their belief that progress is still possible, even if the road is difficult. “No matter who’s in office, the work is the same. The strategies are different,” they say.
But the work is bigger than state politics; it’s about building a whole new world. “We can’t constantly be fighting against,” Herron explains. “When you’re fighting for something, you’re automatically fighting against something. I urge people to find out what that thing is that they want to fight for.”
Looking ahead, Herron sees a world shaped by active participation, not passive waiting–regardless of if a Democrat or a Republican is in charge. “We can’t afford to sit back and wait,” they say. “Yes, the next 4 years are going to be a fight, but in the battle is where you build. And I think there is something so beautiful about building something we don’t have.”
In the end, the future is being built right now, and with all their experiences, vision, and unrelenting drive, Keturah Herron is helping lead the way for Kentucky and beyond.
