Joetta Stewart
‘Better together’ was the theme of the Mayor’s Unity Breakfast Thursday morning, when over 500 people filled the James E. Bruce Convention Center to celebrate unity and recognize several worthy individuals and groups.
Dr. Alissa Young is the president of Hopkinsville Community College and was the keynote speaker. She says it’s easy to see that unity is under attack in many places so it’s incumbent on everyone to work together for stronger communities, families, churches and organizations.
Mayor Carter Hendricks presented Unity Awards to Frances Dunbar and Cary Sharber, with Dunbar saying showing love to everyone is the best way to grow unity.
Sharber quoted a line often used in his Facebook ‘southside challenge’ in accepting the award.
The prestigious Hal and Bettye Thurmond Award was presented to Joetta Stewart, who works at the Todd County Health Department. Stewart overcame drug addiction and a diagnosis of HIV Positive and has since obtained her bachelor’s degree from Murray State in social work and advocates for those in the region living with HIV.
She says anyone can find hope, even in their darkest days.
The first ever Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to the Christian County High School Air Force JROTC, which completed several major projects this year and volunteered at festivals and community events.
