How Rep. Nancy Tate is Changing the Face of Infant Safety in Kentucky

What happens when one woman hears about a baby abandoned on the steps of a church—and decides “enough is enough”?

In Episode 4 of the Beyond the Box podcast, host Monica Kelsey sits down with Kentucky State Representative Nancy Tate for a conversation that will make you laugh, reflect, and want to take action.

It Started With a Church Step—and a Mission

In 2018, a baby was left in a cardboard box on the steps of a church in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was December. It was cold. And it was the moment that would change everything.

“I had constituents reaching out saying, ‘Nancy, this is in your wheelhouse,’” Rep. Tate recalls. “And they were right.”

That one story stirred something deep in her—a mission rooted in her upbringing, her mother’s love for children, and her decades-long commitment to protecting life. She picked up the phone, called Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey, and said, “Tell me everything.”

From One Box to a Movement

Rep. Tate didn’t just pass a bill—she created a movement. In a political climate where division is the norm, House Bill 155 passed through Kentucky’s House and Senate with zero no votes.

Let that sink in: a freshman legislator rallying unanimous support for a cause that had never been legislated in the state before.

Her secret? Doing the homework.

She visited fire stations. Touched the technology. Asked the hard questions. And when critics came forward, she didn’t run—she listened.

“Some of my best ideas came from my worst critics,” she says.

Leading with Grace and Grit

As a mother, a grandmother, and a seasoned technologist, Rep. Tate brought more than political savvy to the table—she brought heart.

“This is about supporting women. Supporting babies. Supporting families,” she shares. “And you can’t do that with judgment. You do it with grace.”

That compassion extended to birth mothers, too. When one mother told Monica she replayed a TikTok video where Monica praised her for being strong and resilient, it was a reminder of what Safe Haven is really about: giving women the peace they desperately need in their darkest hour.

Kentucky’s Goal? 155 Baby Boxes

Kentucky has already installed more than 50 baby boxes. But Rep. Tate’s goal? One in each of the state’s 120 counties—plus extras in high-density areas.

“We’re not slowing down,” she says. “Indiana might have the lead, but we’re coming for you.”

And while the legislative framework is now in place, her message to communities is clear: don’t wait for government—get involved.

No tax dollars fund these boxes. They’re powered by grassroots support—people giving $10 at a time to build something life-changing.

Want to Help Save the Next Life?

You can help make sure the next baby doesn’t end up on a church step, but in a Safe Haven Baby Box—where first responders are ready, and anonymity is respected.

Whether you give monthly, share the Safe Haven hotline, or fundraise for a local box, your support is a lifeline.

Because every life matters.
Because every baby deserves a fighting chance.
Because when we show up, hope shows up too.

Support Safe Haven Baby Boxes
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Thank you for being a vital part of our Safe Haven family. Your passion and support make all the difference.
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