“Together we win with love for humanity.”

This quote from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was the theme for the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration hosted at St. Joseph Catholic Church Monday.

The celebration drew more than 100 people to St. Joseph Fellowship Hall to share food, music and fellowship on the anniversary of the iconic civil rights leader’s birthday.

Much of the program was dedicated to honoring Martha Miller, Clark County’s first black chief deputy clerk in the Clark County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Miller was born in Dayton, Ohio but was raised in Winchester, graduating from George Rogers Clark High School in 1975 and beginning her career in the clerks office in 1977. Aside from her career in public service, Miller also has spent time working with young people in the community through her church, First Baptist Church, 37 N. Highland St., Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Winchester, girl scouts and volunteer work with a youth program at Clark Regional Medical Center. She has also worked as a member of the local NAACP committee, the Labor Day Committee and the WInchester-Clark County Human Rights Commission.

“I stand here today because of God,” Miller said as she addressed those in attendance. “My journey has not been easy, but that is why I’m here.”

Miller said the mission of the community should be to teach children and young people to be united through love, faith and support of one another, and how they should be encouraged to achieve new things even if the odds seem against them.

“My Grandmother told me that somebody has to be the bigger person,” she said.

In today’s society, someone has to be the bigger person.”

Miller said unity means having one heart and being supportive of one another in the community.

“I would ask everyone to look at your hands and think about the work they do,” she said. “Do they serve someone?”

Following her address, Miller was presented with a portrait of herself, and Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner and Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham proclaimed Jan. 15, 2018 Martha Miller Appreciation Day.

Cedric Tate and Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation were given $500 for children’s programing through the humanitarian award.

After the breakfast and presentations, some of those in attendance took part in a march down Main Street from the church to the steps of the courthouse where Pastor John Taylor of Westbend Baptist Church read Rev. King’s “I have a dream” speech to conclude the celebration.