The Fayette Branch of the Kentucky Women’s Network welcomes women and men in Fayette and neighboring counties to our monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month (except in December when we do not meet). Our meetings begin at 6:30 pm. We meet in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, 3564 Clays Mill Road. Directions here. In November, in lieu of our regular meeting, we host an afternoon social, giving us an opportunity to refresh, celebrate, and prepare for the challenges of the coming year.
What We Do
It has never been more important to protect and advocate for democracy than now. We do this by educating ourselves on the issues, arming ourselves with the facts, actively learning about the needs in our community from our community and how we can help, partnering with other progressive organizations who share our values, and sharing what we’ve learned with others.
Speakers and Organizations
In 2025 we heard from speakers about the plight of refugees and immigrants, the role of independent journalism, the needs of vulnerable young people, combating domestic and sexual violence, efforts needed to address discriminatory housing patterns, threats to safety net programs, child hunger, implications of Kentucky’s abortion laws, education funding, and environmental activism. Our speakers represented such organizations as Neighbors Immigration Clinic, Maxwell Street Legal Clinic (a casualty of the current administration), Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Greenhouse17, LFUCG, Black Yarn, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, FoodChain, Sierra Club, and the Kentucky Student Voice Team. Each speaker was asked to include suggestions on how we can help, and they were more than pleased to do so! Click here for more advocacy ideas.
Political Activism
We strive to keep updated on what’s happening politically in our community, state, and nation. Democratic legislators attend and speak regularly at our meetings, informing us about important legislative issues and suggesting actions we can take. The chair of the Fayette Democratic Party, Karen Summers, is a Fayette Branch member and keeps us updated on FCDP activities, and this year we heard from the very active Young Democrats.
Partnerships
Our members are active in many progressive organizations in Lexington/Fayette County and encouraged to share the activities of their groups, such as Kentuckians for the Arts, Bluegrass Activist Alliance, League of Women Voters, and more. In the past we have signed on as partners in the efforts to defeat school vouchers and the abortion amendment.
2026 Elections
With the upcoming elections in 2026, we will be inviting Democratic candidates to speak at our meetings so we can make informed decisions in the voting booth and actively support – with our time, money, and commitment – the candidates of our choice. Learn more about our PAC.
2026 Meeting Calendar
Mark your calendars now for our 2026 meetings:
- January 20
- February 17
- March 17
- April 21
- May 19
- June 16
- July 21
- August 18
- September 15
- October 20
- November 17
- No meeting in December
If you are not a member, we invite you to attend a meeting as our guest.
Communications
Members receive notices via email a week or so before the meeting with information about the program and agenda. Often a recap with additional information and links to resources is emailed several days after meetings to all members, including those who cannot attend in person. To follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information and announcements, search for “Fayette Branch of the Women’s Network” once you log into Facebook.
Learn more
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Nancy Carpenter, Chair of the Fayette Branch, at ncarpenter1967@gmail.com.
