Kay S. Jorgensen

Kay Jorgensen

Kay Jorgensen grew up in Witten, SD, a town of 100 people, and was in the last graduating class of Witten High School. Kay spent her youth growing up with horses, her family's livestock business, and the wide-open Dakota prairie as her backyard. Her parents wanted her to be a confident young woman, unafraid to speak up or speak out, and sent her to Fort Smith Auction School. At the age of seventeen, she became an auctioneer. After high school, Kay went to Black Hill State University and in 2014 was named to the 100 Outstanding Graduates during BHSU’s Centennial celebration.

Kay was involved in student government where she held various offices. This love of politics led Kay to serve South Dakotans as a legislator for 12 years (1978-1984 and 1992-1998). Public service has remained at the forefront of Jorgensen’s life. She has served on the South Dakota Board of Regents, South Dakota Centennial Commission, Spearfish School Board, Black Hills Area Community Foundation, Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society Board, among many other organizations. While serving on these boards, she actively owned and operated a consulting and real estate development business, KSJ Enterprises, LLC. Kay’s life story can be found in the South Dakota Hall of Fame. In 2020, the United States marked the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, commemorating women's right to vote. Honoring this event in South Dakota, Kay served as a delegate of the Her Vote. Her Voice. women’s history initiative which celebrated the occasion by providing education and advocacy across the state.

Consider lifting up an incredible woman in your life today as a part of Women's History Month. Visit www.hervotehervoice.org/statewide-honor-wall to get started.