The Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County has presented the Fannie Bronson Postell Woman of the Year Award to Hoptown Chronicle editor and co-founder Jennifer P. Brown.
The award recognizes a woman or group of women, “whose actions and activities affect changes in the foundation of our community,” according to the Human Rights Commission’s award nomination form. Brown was presented the award Saturday during the commission’s Women’s History Month celebration.
“Jennifer P. Brown has been telling our community’s stories for almost forty years, and she has consistently told those stories honestly, inclusively, and fairly,” Alissa Keller, director of the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, wrote in her nomination of Brown.
“Jennifer’s life’s work to chronicle this community’s history includes stories of all kinds of people,” Keller continued. “She intentionally seeks out stories about those whose lives have not made it into traditional print. Jennifer’s dedication to researching and sharing the stories of women and of underrepresented groups has grown into a virtual catalog of fascinating insight to who we are as a full, robust community. We know more about each other, about our neighbors, because of Jennifer. Her writing encourages us to open our minds and our hearts to the experiences of others while providing a narrative that connects us to each other.”
Brown worked as a reporter and editor of the Kentucky New Era for 30 years before leaving the newspaper in 2016. In 2019, she co-founded Hoptown Chronicle, which aims to advance the public good, promote a respectful dialogue among citizens, and to raise awareness of business, arts, culture and history unique to Hopkinsville. As a nonprofit news organization funded by donors, Hoptown Chronicle makes its journalism available at no cost.
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Brown co-chairs the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, is governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and serves on the Community Advisory Board of WKMS, the public radio station at Murray State University.
Kate Russell, founder and co-owner of Hopkinsville Brewing Co., also was recognized during Saturday’s luncheon with a $500 “Women Educating Women Scholarship,” which the commission awards to a Christian County woman planning to continue her education in the upcoming year. Russell wrote this essay for the scholarship competition.
Two other finalists in Women Educating Women were Carly Chaudoin and Amiyah Hopkins, both students at Hopkinsville High School. Read Chaudoin’s essay here. Read Hopkins’ essay here.
In addition to Brown, nominees for Woman of the Year included 100 Women Who Care, a recently launched charitable giving circle; Tishauna Douglas, service coordinator for First Steps of Christian County; Abbey Fincham; Francene Gilmer, executive director of the Christian County Literacy Council; Terri Henderson, owner of Coffee Connection on South Main Street; and Melissa Lynch, director of the Oak Grove Community Center.
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
