Frankfort, Ky. (October 12, 2018) – McCarthy Strategic Solutions, Kentucky’s prominent lobbying firm, is proud to announce that Partner Amy Wickliffe was one of just six practitioners across the country who received an Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference.
Wickliffe was recognized for the Excellence in a State Issue award as a result of successfully passing Marsy’s Law through the Kentucky General Assembly. Her exceptional effort from 2016 to 2018 led to this constitutional amendment being the first legislation to pass during the 2018 legislative session. Marsy’s Law will be on the ballot on Election Day in November, and if passed by Kentucky voters, would amend the Kentucky Constitution to give crime victims a constitutional bill of rights.
“Amy has been the quarterback for the entire Kentucky effort, tirelessly advocating with policymakers and coordinating advocates and a base of support from all corners of the political, religious, business and nonprofit worlds,” said Senator Whitney Westerfield, 2018 Legislative Session Sponsor of SB3 (Marsy’s Law). “Amy is familiar with the substance of and rationale for every line of text in the bill. The Constitutional Amendment, after three years of her hard work, was the first bill to pass the 2018 regular session and awaits ratification by Kentucky voters on the November ballot.”
In addition to Senator Westerfield, Wickliffe also received a letter of support from Senator Damon Thayer affirming her exceptional work. The Excellence in Advocacy Award judging was conducted by peers in the advocacy industry, as well as by board members of the Bryce Harlow Foundation.
“I am honored to receive this recognition by an organization I deeply respect, and for an issue for which I possess a deep passion,” said Wickliffe. “Marsy’s Law has been a three-year long campaign and there is nothing more rewarding than giving Kentuckians the opportunity to vote for this critical update to Kentucky’s constitution on November 6th.”
Wickliffe has been lobbying the Kentucky General Assembly since 2005 and previously served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Glenna Fletcher, Statewide Finance Director for Governor Ernie Fletcher and worked on various political campaigns throughout her career. She was appointed Finance Chair for the Republican Party of Kentucky in 2016, serves on the Midway University Board of Trustees and was past Chair of Dress for Success Lexington, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged women. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Transylvania University and a M.B.A. from Midway College.
“We are honored to work alongside Amy Wickliffe, who continues to be an incredible leader both in our field, and for women in public policy,” said founder and managing partner John McCarthy. “She deserves this recognition for her management of this three-year-long campaign. Her tenacity and focus on the rights of victims and their families drove this Marsy’s Law to a successful outcome.”
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About McCarthy Strategic Solutions
The McCarthy Strategic Solutions consists of eight professional lobbyists with more than 150 years of combined experience in Kentucky. For more information on MSS and how we can partner with you, please visit www.mssgov.com.
About the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference
Professional Women in Advocacy believes that when women have a seat at the public policy table, everyone benefits. To do this we must be equipped to competently and confidently represent our organization, issue or cause. The goal of our programming is to provide women in advocacy the information, tools and contacts they need for the job. Our events attract a variety of people working in all areas of advocacy including federal, state and local government relations, public affairs, community relations, public policy, legislation, Congressional relations, community activism, political engagement and campaigns.