Local civil rights attorney and founder of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission, Louis P. McHenry is among the latest inductees into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
The Kentucky Human Rights Commission hosted the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Bruce Convention Center Friday afternoon. Hopkinsville Community College President Alissa Young shared that the Hall of Fame was established in 2000 as an educational tool and to recognize Kentuckians, living and deceased, who have fought for positive change.
Louis McHenry was born in Owensboro in 1914 and later settled in Hopkinsville where he practiced law and fought segregation. He formed a group known as the Progressive Citizens that would organize boycotts of Christian County businesses that would not serve or hire Black people.
During his time in Hopkinsville, Louis McHenry was the driving force behind the creation of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission in 1963. He was also the first black candidate to run for a notional office in Kentucky’s first congressional district.
Louis McHenry was among 15 nominees, but before the inductees were announced the audience got to witness some local talent. Murray State University student and Hopkinsville native, Jada Poindexter read her poem, “Legacy of Change.”
Then Hoptown Idol winner and musician, Chassity Mumford sang “A Change is Gonna Come,” and “I Know Where I’ve Been.”
After the nominees were recognized, Young announced that Helen Danser of Berea, William Davis of Lexington, Amber Duke of Louisville, Virginia Moore of Williamsburg and Hopkinsville’s Louis McHenry were the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Louis McHenry’s daughter Linda McHenry and his grandson Louis Porter McHenry III accepted the award on his behalf. Linda called it an honor to have her father inducted into the Hall of Fame and says it’s a reminder that he left behind a legacy of change that is still ongoing.
Louis McHenry joins other Hopkinsville figures such as Ned Breathitt, bell hooks and Hal and Betye Thurmond.
