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January 20, 2025, was a noteworthy day for more reasons than one. 

In Winchester, dozens gathered to make it worthwhile. 

On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, St. Agatha Academy at 244 S. Main Street hosted the city’s 2025 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast. 

“We’d like to welcome everyone,” said Pastor Freda Blair of Christ Temple Apostolic Church of Winchester, who delivered the opening prayer. “We are so excited…to come together.” 

The day’s event—put together by the Unity Committee, which includes former City Commissioner Rick Beach, Clark County Equity Coalition Founder Donna Carter, local citizens Deatra Newell and Vache King, and many others—honors the prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement, who was assassinated in 1968. 

During her opening prayer, Pastor Blair emphasized the hope that she carries for the city. 

“We’ve seen a lot of things come together, and today we ought to celebrate this day [and] that we’re in one place thinking…one thing and that is unity in Winchester, Kentucky,” she stated. 

Inside the gymnasium, different works of art made by students throughout local schools—including those submitted in an art and writing contest—were observed for others to see. 

Kent Coogle, Community Education Director for Clark County Public Schools and fellow member of the Unity Committee, introduced the different award winners who were recognized for honoring Dr. King in various ways. 

GRC student Jillian Ison’s “Meeting Resistance” took home first place in a school writing contest, with “Defying Limits” by Steven Yang coming in second and “The Art of Peace” by Heidi Castle coming in third. 

GRC student Isabelle Herringshaw’s “Dove with Flag” color art took home first place in a school art contest, with Maxwell Vaughn’s “Impossible” pencil artwork and “Peace and Love” by Makenna Roszel coming in second and third. 

As part of a Robert D. Campbell Junior High School art contest, Zillin Gaines took home first place, with Kiley Sidles and Kanvar Purewal coming in second and third. 

George Rogers Clark High School was involved in other ways, too. 

Directed by teacher Kris Olson, the Cardinal Singers—an advanced mixed choir class—led a standing-room-only crowd in performing James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” 

Following the breakfast—which included fruit, multiple casseroles, ham biscuits, chicken, and a variety of drink options—the event’s keynote speaker addressed the audience. 

This year, Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine spoke. 

A trailblazer, Goodwine became the first African American woman elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in November and is also the first female Justice to serve at all four levels of the judiciary in the state. 

Yet, as she stated, it did not come without adversity. 

Although she earned a scholarship out of high school, she did not accept it in order to take care of her ailing parents – who, sadly, both passed away before she reached the age of 20. 

A life-threatening illness then created further complications. 

Several other details showing the adversity Goodwine had to overcome were also shared. 

However, through hard work and overcoming many challenges, Justice Goodwine prospered. 

She shared some thoughtful words. 

“Your circumstances, whatever they may be, do not define who you are,” she said. “Never accept an outcome defined for you by someone else.” 

She also stated how Martin Luther King Jr. can continue to be recognized. 

“We honor Dr. King’s legacy by offering wisdom, harmony, justice, and peace in this world,” she said. 

Justice Goodwine was honored with a gift basket and more from Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed, expressing gratitude for her speech. 

Certainly, not least, the Presentation of the Humanitarian Award was provided. 

This year’s award winner was Cora Newell Fletcher, whose life work included directing the Berea College nursing program. 

She was introduced by William Baker, a fellow Unity Committee member, Broadway Missionary Baptist Church, and Commissioner on the Winchester Municipal Utilities (WMU) Board. 

“We thank you for your service to God,” Baker said. 

In addition to receiving the Humanitarian Award, Fletcher was named a Kentucky Colonel – presented to her by Mayor Reed and signed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. 

As the event neared a conclusion, Pastor Blair offered some final words in her concluding prayer. 

“We thank you for allowing us to come together to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King [Jr.] Day,” she said.