By Kathy Groob, Founder ElectWomen.com

Women can be deterred from running for public office because of demands upon their time and personal lives.  Kerry Holleran has found a way to manage her responsibilities as a mom, attorney for the Innocence Project; commuting three hours a day and her involvement in her daughter’s school PTA.  Holleran is a graduate of the Emerge Kentucky candidate-training program where she learned what would be required of her to run a successful campaign.

Kerry Holleran has set her sights on the Covington Kentucky School Board. “I spend my Saturdays and Sundays walking door-to-door but I’m not certain it’s enough,” says Holleran. “I’m organizing local Young Democrats, family members, and friends to walk along with me. I am the type of person who loves to give back and attend meetings, so a busy schedule has never bothered me. I don’t mind it now, but I envy people running against me who are retired and are able to walk precincts all day long if they so choose.”

Kerry Holleran at Emerge KY graduation with Board Chair Jennifer Moore

Kerry Holleran chose to run for a school board race because her daughter attends school in a district in dire need of parent leaders.  “We have an 89% free and reduced lunch rate.  My school had no parent members on its site-based council (parent/teacher/administrative council with financial and policy making authority) when I enrolled my daughter.  I was immediately asked the first day I walked in to enroll her if I would run for the council,” says Holleran. “I was also asked if I would serve on a budget committee for our Family Resource Coordinator and if I would attend a parent and teacher gathering.  At that gathering, I found out we had no PTA.”

“I have since completed a six day training which teaches parents how to impact test scores in the schools of their children,” says Holleran.  “This fall, I’m implementing my program which I hope will raise our social studies test scores.  I also served on the site-based council for two years, served on that budget committee I was asked to join, and started a PTA.”

Holleran believes she is ready now to take the next step.  “I’m ready to step up and be that parent leader our district has been needing.  It’s time to step into a bigger role and into one where I can bring parents and community partners together to reclaim our place in our community’s schools.”

For more information about Kerry Holleran, visit http://kerryholleran.com.