Pamela Stevenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pamela Stevenson
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| Minority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Derrick Graham |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Booker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 8, 1959 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Thomas Shannon |
| Education | Indiana University, Bloomington (BS, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1984–2011 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Pamela D. Stevenson (born April 8, 1959) is an American politician and lawyer. She used to be a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Currently, she represents District 43 in the Kentucky State House. In 2023, she ran for Attorney General of Kentucky but did not win.
Early Life and Education
Pamela Stevenson grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She went to Shawnee High School and then Brown High School. After high school, she joined the United States Air Force.
She served for 27 years as a Judge Advocate General. This means she was a lawyer for the Air Force. She retired with the rank of Colonel.
Stevenson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Indiana University Bloomington in 1981. In 1984, she received her law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
In 2015, Stevenson started the Stevenson Law Center. This center offers legal help to veterans and seniors for free. This is called pro bono work. She has also taught law part-time at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.
Political Career
Pamela Stevenson was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2020. She took the place of Charles Booker. He decided to run for the U.S. Senate instead.
In November 2022, Stevenson announced she would run for Attorney General of Kentucky. She was the only Democrat to run for the position. This made her the first African-American woman to be nominated for this office in Kentucky.
While serving in the state house, Stevenson became known for her powerful speeches. In March 2023, she gave a speech about a bill that would affect young people. She spoke against the bill, saying it would create an environment of hate. Her speech became very popular online.
She gave another important speech on March 29, 2023. This speech was also about a bill that would affect young people under 18. She spoke about the importance of treating everyone with respect.
“We have created an environment of hate and then we look at them like there’s something wrong with them, First you hated Black people, then you hated Jews, now you’re hating everybody. So the question is, when it’s the only people left … will you hate yourself?”
Personal Life
Pamela Stevenson is a Christian. In 2023, she became an ordained minister. She works as an Associate Pastor at the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville.
She is married to Thomas Shannon, who is a professional photographer. They have two children together.
