First Lady of Kentucky Glenna Fletcher (right) shook hands with Marie Pair, a resident of Wesley Village, while certified nursing assistants Wanda Vanover and Beverly Brock, and the Village's president and CEO, Glenda Creech, watched.

The First Lady arrived by helicopter on the Village front lawn and was given a whirlwind tour of our health center. Particularly attractive to her was a demonstration by some of the residents in their "Joy 'n Action," an exercise program done to recorded music, participants holding a bell in each hand as they do the movements. Mrs. Fletcher was delighted and joined them in one number.

Her next stop was in the patio home dining center where President/CEO Glenda Creech and Mayor Harold Rainwater, introduced her to the residents and visitors. Shari Rainwater joined her husband at the podium and presented the First Lady with a bouquet of roses. The mayor gave her a key to the City of Wilmore.

The First Lady has come to her position with appropriate preparation, from the time of first meeting her future husband/governor when fellow-students at Lafayette High School in Lexington, KY. They married while in college, she in Transylvania and he in UK. She and their two children traveled with him as he was a United States Air Force fighter pilot.

Fletcher talked with resident Theodore Scott while certified nursing assistant Nicole Ratcliffe (left) and Wesley Village's president/CEO Glenda Creech watched. Also in picture is Donna Persinger, director of communications for Glenna Fletcher.

Mrs. Fletcher later earned her associate degree in nursing at Lexington Community College. While her husband was in medical school, she worked nights as a medical-surgical nurse. Later she worked at UK's Chandler Medical Center. During these years she knew she wanted to make a difference in the lives of all Kentuckians.

After serving as a Kentucky House Representative and later as a U.S. Congressman, Ernie Fletcher was elected Governor of Kentucky. He and Mrs. Fletcher moved to Frankfort in 2003. In her role as First Lady, Glenna Fletcher has become an active participant and spokesperson for several organizations that are working to improve the health of Kentuckians. She wants to see the quality of life of Kentuckians continue to improve, so that those born here will stay, and others will come and find good lives in our Commonwealth.

Before addressing her particular health interests, she announced that just last week her husband, the Governor, signed the tax modernization bill which will assist low-income families and help create about 10,000 new jobs for the state.

Glenna Fletcher enjoys a lighter moment with Wesley Village Activities Director, Ann Cummins (right) and Rebecca Cecil, Deputy Commissioner of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (left).

One of the special interests of First Lady Fletcher is "Get Healthy Kentucky Initiative." Efforts are being made to combat the very high incidence of lung cancer and the epidemic of obesity.

Another program she is involved in is "Go Red, Kentucky," an effort to alert and educate women about heart disease and cancer. Heart disease is the greatest killer for women. She urges all women to have an annual mammogram, the best diagnostic tool for breast cancer.

Children are another major concern of the First Lady. In addition to their health problems, "Read to Achieve" offers struggling readers early intervention and support so they can become successful readers. "Unite to Read" is a statewide literacy program that is student-driven. High school students are volunteers in classrooms with young students, combining the value of volunteerism and assistance in literacy. "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library" sends a book a month to children from birth until the fifth grade. This is making quality books available in homes and encouraging parents to read to their children.

Glenda Creech, Mayor Harold Rainwater, Mrs. Fletcher, and Shari Rainwater

The First Lady is traveling across the Commonwealth speaking and encouraging groups in their awareness of health and literacy needs at every level. Her warmth and personality were immediately obvious as she arrived, visited, gave her lecture and within one hour boarded the helicopter for another speaking engagement in the evening.

It was a very special day for Wesley Village, giving Mrs. Fletcher her first glimpse of our community, and the residents some enthusiastic information about our Commonwealth.

Virginia Brubaker