By Chris Mayhew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - As the new chairwoman of the Kentucky Commission on Women, Florence resident Sarah Blanken Kahmann, 76, says she will have direct access to the governor's office.

A member of the women's commission since 1997 and an Enquirer Woman of the Year in 1997, Kahmann has a long history of advocacy for women's issues.

Kahmann has waged a war on pornography at the national level, in part through her founding of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families. She is vice president of the group.

"Our goal was to educate communities that if they allow certain business to operate, families won't come to the community," she said.

She is a member of the board of directors of the Women's Crisis Center based in Covington, and is on the St. Luke Hospital Foundation Board.

Kahmann said she plans to further causes such as equal earnings, health and well-being issues, employment and political participation by networking with women's groups across the state.

Kahmann said she wants to bring about more programs like the New Opportunity School for Women, an annual workshop at Berea College she attends. The workshop helps women build stronger employment skills, and learn what educational opportunities exist.

"Networking to me is the most vital thing we can do," she said. "Finding out how we can work together with smaller organizations and letting them know we are there to assist them if necessary."

Kahmann said many people from Northern Kentucky don't know what conditions are like for women in other areas of the state.

In February, Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration closed the Frankfort offices of the Women's Commission as part of its budget-cutting moves, and the paid executive director stepped down.

At Kahmann's appointment, Gov. Fletcher promised to support the commission by finding suitable office space, and a new executive director.

According to a news release from the governor's office, an executive director would be hired within a few weeks, and a permanent residence for the commission would be announced.

E-mail cmayhew@enquirer.com