ASHLAND —
The longtime chairwoman of the Ashland Human Rights Commission has been inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
Carol Jackson was one of 14 members of the hall’s 2012 class. The new inductees were honored Wednesday at a ceremony in the Lyric Theater in Lexington by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.
Jackson was the only inductee from northeastern Kentucky. One class member was from Owensboro, and all the others were from Lexington and Louisville.
Jackson said her selection for the hall came as a “complete shock” because she always tries to keep her work low-key.
“I like to work behind the scenes. I don’t like recognition,” she said. “The things I do, I do them from the heart.”
Still, she said she couldn’t help but feel pleased and proud to have been chosen for the honor.
“I’m in good company,” she said.
Among her fellow hall members are former Mayor David Welch, who was inducted in 2000 as part of the hall’s first class.
After receiving a letter informing her she’d been inducted, Jackson said she “went chasing all over town” trying to find out who’d nominated her. She subsequently found out it was her longtime friend, Bernice Henry, who’d done so.
Jackson has served as chairwoman of the Ashland Human Rights Commission for more than 10 years. Under her leadership, the agency has evolved from a committee that didn’t have a permanent home into a full-blown commission with an office on the seventh floor of the Community Trust Bank building.
The commission met “after hours” at the city building, Jackson said. She said she approached former City Manager William H. Fisher Jr. about the commission having a space of its own, and Fisher was instrumental in getting the agency into its first office in the Camayo Arcade.
The Ashland Human Rights Commission is part of a network of local agencies that operate under the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. The overall goal of the local commissions and the state agency is to protect individuals from discrimination in areas such as housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions.
Jackson, who turned 60 on New Year’s Day, also chairs the Ashland Board of Education. She is the first African-American woman ever elected to the board and is running unopposed for another term in next month’s general election.
Some of Jackson’s more memorable endeavors have included organizing the Agri-Cultural Fair, an event to celebrate the heritage of all northeastern Kentuckians, and a community rally to offset a local appearance by the virulently anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church.
As a result of the latter, Jackson said she received “some letters that I would not open.” She said she took then directly to then-police chief and current Mayor Tom Kelley.
Jackson also created the Mayor’s Youth Council to encourage young people to learn more about local government. And, under her leadership, the human rights commission hosts annual “Conversations About Race” forums to promote dialogue on human-rights issues.
She has also worked with the National Conference on Community and Justice to bring diversity training to the Ashland schools for administrators, teachers and students.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or
(606) 326-2654.
Local News
Jackson in Civil Rights Hall of Fame
- Local News
-
-
Raceland to ‘kick off summer’ today
People in downtown Raceland want others to visit the city this afternoon for a community celebration, to catch a glimpse of some of the projects under way and visit a few of the places which give the town its own charm and personality.
-
Not guilty plea in death of Boyd baby
A Powell County teenager accused in the beating death of an infant pleaded not guilty to the charge Friday.
Brett T. Thompson, 18, of Stanton was arraigned Friday in Boyd County Court.
Thompson has been indicted in the death of 2-month-old Alivia Noel Worstell of Westwood. He was the boyfriend of the baby’s mother, Heather Worstell, 19. -
Paul plans re-election bid for Senate
Republican Rand Paul will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 regardless of any decision to launch a presidential bid. And he will campaign for his Kentucky colleague and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.
-
Area woman’s book collection of aviator grandfather’s technical writings
All her life, Barbara Sellers gave much thought to flight.
-
Musical memories
A new nonprofit group is planning a concert this summer intended to offer a positive social gathering for music lovers.
-
Water main break causes headaches
A water main break in the area of 29th Street and Greenup Avenue has caused headaches for public works employees and water customers in Ashland.
-
MLB exec speaking to Greenup graduates
Greenup County High School graduates are going to hear a little baseball tonight.
-
Span into Ky. likely out of commission through holiday
The Ben Williamson Bridge, closed Thursday morning because of a damaged I-beam, probably will remain closed at least through the Memorial Day holiday, and transportation officials don’t yet know how soon they will be able to reopen it.
-
Students celebrate grandparents
The fellowship hall at Unity Baptist Church was bursting with pride Thursday afternoon.
-
Olive Hill Council holds off on appointments
The Olive Hill Council met in regular session Tuesday night to accept the resignations of former Council members Tony Williams and Angie Johnson Fultz.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raceland to ‘kick off summer’ today
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
