Senator Donald Douglas shares a story that begins in a log cabin in Maceo, Kentucky, where he was born the 14th of 16 children. His birth certificate has an interesting anecdote: It was delivered a day late and marked March 7, when, in fact, he was born March 6, 1957.
Douglas said his family was likely the only Black family in the area, where he spent his formative years working on the family farm. His work ethic and resilience led him to a successful career as a physician and now a State Senator for District 2, serving Jessamine, Garrard, and part of Fayette County.
Douglas attended Thruston Elementary and Daviess County Junior High before graduating from Daviess County High School, where he recalls the challenge of being one of the few Black students — most of whom were his siblings — in a predominantly white school. The first day was particularly daunting, but a kind gesture from a peer’s mother made a lasting impression on him.
Ironically, that peer was a long-time friend and current State Senator representing Daviess County, Gary Boswell.
“Growing up, there were very few Caucasians around our farm, and we rarely went to the store because there were so many of us,” Douglas said. “I knew only a few people on my first day of school, which was most disconcerting. Gary Boswell’s mom saw me get off the bus and how I wasn’t happy about being there, so she put her arm around me and walked me in on my first day.”
Douglas said his first-grade teacher, Nancy Foulke, played a significant role in his early education. He recently visited her to express his gratitude for her guidance and discipline, which he believes set the course for his future success. He emphasized the importance of teachers having the authority to manage classroom behavior, a perspective he carries into his legislative work.
“I had a wonderful first-grade teacher in Mrs. Foulke, and I’m glad I was able to visit her this past week – it’s something I’ve wanted to do for decades,” he said. “At one point, she said she was sorry for having to discipline me, but she put some guard rails around what I could do in school, and it made all the difference in the world.”
Douglas, in his current role, advocates for allowing teachers to make tough decisions and discipline students.
Douglas excelled academically and athletically, becoming a track and field All-American in high school and college. He has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and the Western Kentucky University Athletics hall of fames.
Mentors like his old high school track coach, Chuck Gullow, and junior high coach, Wilford Pagan, left a lasting impact on him. They provided rides home from practice and served as role models during his impressionable years.
Douglas was the Daviess County High School track and field team captain for 3 years. Despite the many accomplishments and accolades, he admitted it wasn’t easy.
“For a young Black kid, there was true prejudice,” he said. “A lot of what we hear today is more preference than prejudice. I grew up during a time when people were still acting on their feelings.”
Pagan is currently battling cancer, and Douglas is grateful he was able to visit his former coach in the hospital recently. Douglas took that time to thank Pagan for the continued support and the countless rides home from practice.
After completing medical school in 1986 at the University of Kentucky, Douglas became the first Black resident in orthopedics there. He later specialized in anesthesiology and non-narcotic pain management in Louisville, running a successful practice.
In 2021, following the death of the previous officeholder, Douglas ran in a special election for the 22nd District Senate seat and won. He then secured the Republican nomination and won the general election. Despite being encouraged to run for higher office, Douglas remains focused on his current role, valuing the experience and relationships he has built.
“I love being a senator,” Douglas said. “I haven’t practiced medicine for a while, but I’m honored to be a physician and to have served so many people. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed talking with my patients, educating them, watching them get better, and seeing them raise their families.”
Reflecting on his journey, Douglas said he appreciates the quality leadership and caring individuals in the Kentucky Senate. He said he is proud of his children, all physicians who received full scholarships to Ivy League schools, and who he said are all good Christians.
Senator Douglas’s story is one of perseverance, gratitude, and dedication to serving others in his medical career and public office. And though advancing to a higher elected office isn’t out of the question, he said his ultimate goal is improving the Commonwealth.
