First Lady Glenna Fletcher Striving for a "Healthy Kentucky "

By Laura Proctor

Glenna Fletcher flexed her wrists and smoothly swung her three wood, driving the white ball down a Frankfort golf course fairway. She smiled as she followed through, watching as the ball sailed straight, landing not far from the green. Not bad for an occasional golfer, whose busy schedule rarely leaves time for an afternoon on the links.

Yet Kentucky 's first lady, who is working to promote a fit and healthy lifestyle for all Kentuckians, makes finding time for mental and physical well-being a priority in her hectic lifestyle. "I find golf to be most relaxing; it satisfies me," says Glenna. "It gets me away and outside in the fresh air."

As the wife and confidante of Governor Ernie Fletcher, Glenna's days leave little time for afternoon rounds of golf. When she and Governor Fletcher occasionally find time to play the links, an entourage of security staff accompanies them. So much for getting away. Yet Glenna doesn't seem to mind. She understands it's all part of the position, and appreciates the opportunity afforded as Kentucky 's first lady to promote better health for all the Commonwealth's citizens.

Glenna's primary objective is to undertake programs that improve the health of Kentucky 's citizens, especially children. Her goals are to reduce obesity, diabetes and the prevalence of smoking in Kentucky 's population. Kentucky became the fourth fattest state in the nation this year, joining the leaders in a nationwide obesity epidemic. A recent nationwide study shows that 24 percent of Kentucky 's citizens are classified as obese. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease and the fourth leading cause of death in African-American females in the state. The Commonwealth ranks third overall in cancer mortality rates among the 50 states, according to the American Cancer Society.

Obviously, Glenna has her work cut out for her.

"We are concentrating on getting the message out that we need to improve our health by eating less and exercising more," says Glenna. The former registered nurse is adamant about having Kentuckians take their health more seriously. "We can be a self-indulgent society," she notes. "We need to watch what we eat, take the stairs and other steps towards becoming healthier." On a recent business trip with Ernie to San Francisco , Glenna noted the active lifestyle of the city's residents. "They're so active.you don't see many overweight people there."

Glenna is laying the foundation for her "Healthy Kentucky" cause by collecting information on various health initiatives currently in place around the state. "Basically we are conducting an overall assessment on the health problems in Kentucky to see what is being done, figure out what is effective and what is not and come up with a plan to combine efforts."

She is incorporating her emphasis on health into her interactions with Kentucky 's school children through the "Read to Achieve" program. This statewide program is working to ensure all kids in elementary school are proficient readers by the third grade. On her visits to schools throughout the state Glenna encourages youngsters to become more active in their daily lives, in addition to increasing their time spent with books.

Glenna is also concerned with the high mortality rates of women with breast cancer. Recently she initiated a statewide campaign in collaboration with the Kentucky Cancer program to encourage women age 65 and older to be screened routinely for breast cancer. "Early screening, detection and treatment create breast cancer survivors," she stated during a recent luncheon honoring breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the state and the nation.

This first lady is one who leads by example. The fit and attractive blonde does not look like the grandmother of four that she is. Glenna finds the best time to include exercise in her cramped schedule is in the morning, since many evenings are full of social commitments. "I try to exercise in the a.m., although I'm not always successful," she smiles. "I walk and jog on a treadmill using hand weights for about 30 minutes. If I wait until evening, it doesn't always get done due to meetings and travel." Yet she doesn't obsess over the occasional missed workout. "One of the things I've learned in life is how to be flexible," says Glenna. "It helps reduce stress and improves one's overall well-being."

Such a flexible approach to life served Glenna well as she raised two children while being an Air Force wife, minister's wife and physician's wife - all the time being married to her high school sweetheart, Ernie, whom she met at Lafayette High School in Lexington . Her lifestyle has always been active, from snow skiing and ice skating while living in Alaska during Ernie's Air Force days, to juggling the demands of raising children while working as a registered nurse. Glenna has always been on the go.

Although she has a flexible approach towards life, Glenna is far from being a pushover. Her impact on policy making is felt in the capitol, where she keeps a first-floor office, and to a lesser extent in the Governor's mansion where the chef now prepares meals with less carbohydrates, more vegetables and smaller portions.

If Glenna has her way, four years from now residents of the bluegrass state will have smaller waistlines and healthier hearts and will no longer live in a state with the third highest cancer rates. She'll need to keep exercising, eating a balanced diet and occasionally taking a swing on the links in order to accomplish her "Healthy Kentucky" goals. Here's wishing her great success.

Laura Proctor is a local real estate agent who squeezes in writing assignments while selling homes.