HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County hosted their annual Women’s History Month Celebration at the Book & Bottle Shop on Thursday evening. A large crowd of community members gathered to recognize trailblazers who have made a difference in many lives, announcing the Woman of the Year Award and scholarships.
“Women’s History Month means giving a voice to those who are maybe unheard, which is what we (HRC) do all the time,” Rachel Farmer, Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County said. “We want equal advancement and equal voices heard.”
The HRC has been hosting this event every year since 2012, acknowledging hardworking women in the Hopkinsville-Christian County area. This year’s theme was “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”
HRC Board Chair Crystal Ferreira said, “Without women, the world would not be the world we know. Women’s History Month is important because women deserve to be seen, heard and acknowledged for their contributions in society.”
Scholarships distributed to local students
The event is aimed to celebrate women in the community, past and present, who have led and are currently leading young women to follow their dreams and not let gender be a barrier to success and change. This includes sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational and social justice movements.
During the event, three senior high school women were awarded the Women Educating Women Scholarships by the HRC. Farmer said, “This is the third year we have been able to award three scholarships because of the generosity of our community.”
In third place, Addison Gilkey, senior at Christian County High School, was awarded $200. Second place award in the amount of $300 was given to Kaylyn Lynch, a senior at Hopkinsville High School. And first place scholarship award, in the amount of $500, was given to Ajae Oatts, a senior at University Heights Academy.
All three young women presented their scholarship essays during the event and mentioned trailblazing women in their lives, including family members, educators and more who have made a difference in many lives with their leadership.
“Determined, resilient and hardworking: these words describe a woman who inspires me, and her name is Kim Batts,” Oatts read from her scholarship essay. “Kim is a sponsor of the Youth Leadership program and because of her, many students including myself have the opportunity to learn about the Community of Hopkinsville and make a positive intergenerational change.”
About the Fannie Postell Women of the Year Award, winner
Fannie Bronson Postell was a renowned educator in Hopkinsville. In 1907, she was elected superintendent of the city’s colored schools. Postell was the principal of Attucks High School from 1927 to 1934, a school for Black community members that operated from 1916 to 1967.
The 2026 Fannie Bronson Postell Woman of the Year award was presented to Kimberly Batts, a long-time educator in the community. Batts has been employed by the Christian County Public School System for over 34 years.
“She has dedicated her career to educating the next generation,” Oatts said in her speech. Upon accepting the award, Batts gave a few words of gratitude to her community.
“I love what I do. I love the people I get to work with, and I love the students I have been able to influence,” she said. “Our community is in good hands with these young women leaders.”
The Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County will continue to host this event annually in March. For more information, contact the HRC at 270-887-4010 or follow their Facebook page.
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