Interview with Patricia Kafoglis, July 24, 2000

Interview Summary

Pat Kafoglis talks about her early life, education, and family life. She talks about her husband and their respective professional careers. She talks about her political activities to achieve ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Kafoglis talks about the uncertainty behind the selection process for membership on the Prichard Committee. She talks about her own professional career and qualifications prior to her appointment to the Prichard Committee. Kafoglis talks about Ed Prichard and the early meetings of the committee. She talks about the other members of the committee and how they worked well together for a common purpose. She talks about the women who served on the committee and the role of gender within that context. Kafoglis reviews a list of the original 30 committee members and has difficulty recalling some of the people. She talks about the relatively few women among the original members. Kafoglis talks about the transition of the committee's mission from official select committee on higher education to non-profit group for primary and secondary education reform. She discusses Bob Sexton's leadership and the death of Ed Prichard. Kafoglis talks about community forums on education that were organized by Bob Sexton. She talks about the composition of the forums and the climate for reform. She talks about the relationship between the Prichard Committee and the legislature. Kafoglis compares her experiences working with the Council on Higher Education with her work on the Prichard Committee. She says Council work was more political and bureaucratic and not as enjoyable. She talks about leadership on the committee. Kafoglis talks about the continuity of leadership of the committee after the death of Ed Prichard. She cites school reform as the most important accomplishment of the committee. She says the committee wanted to avoid appearing as elitist. Kafoglis talks about the future of education in Kentucky including the need to reform teacher education and certification. She talks about her retirement from active membership with the committee. Kafoglis says she is better able to discuss her feelings about issues rather than specific events. She speaks of trust and confidence among members on the committee. She talks about gender balance on the committee.

Interview Keyword

Women Gender Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Council on Higher Education Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA)

Interview LC Subject

Education--Kentucky Educational leadership Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

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