Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates
Women's Equality Day

TOPEKA—Today on Women’s Equality Day, Governor Laura Kelly recognizes and honors all Kansas women, past and present, who have broken barriers and fought for equal representation and treatment. Women’s Equality Day celebrates the ratification of the 19th amendment, which granted women in the United States the right to vote. 

"Today, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made to achieve women’s equality – and acknowledge the work we still have left to do,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I will continue working to make Kansas a better, more inclusive place for all.”  

The Kelly Administration has worked to advance gender equality and ensure women’s voices are heard throughout the state. 

• In January of 2021, the Kansas Department of Administration kicked off Kansas Women in State Employment (WISE) initiative to provide resources and materials for specific employment issues that women face. Hundreds of employees participated in the 2022 forum. 

• In May of 2021, Governor Kelly signed Senate Bill 60,  which made sexual extortion a crime and removed the spousal exemption to the crime of sexual battery.  
• In July of 2021, Governor Kelly signed an executive order expanding parental leave benefits for State of Kansas employees.  
• In May of 2022, Governor Kelly signed HB 2237, which expanded the child care assistance tax credit for employers who make child care available for their employees.  
• Last month, Governor Kelly announced that her plan to provide Kansas mothers with health care coverage under Kansas Medicaid up to 12 months post-delivery was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This will impact over 9,000 mothers every year and the extension of 10 months will dramatically improve health outcomes for mothers and infants. 

In 2020, for the first time in Kansas history, women sat at the helm of all three branches of Kansas government. Governor Kelly serves as Kansas’ third female governor. At the time, she served alongside the first female Senate President, Susan Wagle, and the second female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Marla Luckert.