Members of the community joined Wednesday for a proclamation signing at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center in Glasgow.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW — A proclamation signed Wednesday at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center was a joint effort by city and county officials to acknowledge the importance of Black history in Glasgow and Barren County.
Harold Armstrong, Glasgow mayor, and Micheal Hale, Barren County Judge Executive, signed the proclamation. The two were joined by law enforcement and fire officials and other members of the community.
William Twyman is the second cousin of Luska J. Twyman, who became the first Black mayor in Kentucky and Glasgow in 1968. William was in attendance Wednesday.
“Since we have to sort of make up for past mistakes, I think this is very important to highlight Black history,” Twyman said. “There is so many other ethnic groups that have contributed as well.”
Twyman’s cousin was a pioneer for creating opportunities among the Black community. Many folks remember the events leading to his election and the time thereafter. Significant progress was made under Luska’s leadership.
“None of us can really stand totally by ourselves,” Twyman said. “We’ve always had help and influence. People that we don’t even know have done things for us.”
A teary-eyed Hale recognized Black leaders in the room, including Fay Neal. He serves as chairperson of the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Board.
“I get emotional talking about it because of the job you’ve done,” Hale said. “I appreciate you. I love you.”
Armstrong said he looked forward to a time when racial injustice and inequalities were behind history, but he acknowledged local progress, too.
“There’s a long way to go anywhere you go, but Glasgow and Barren County – I think, have – made a lot of strides in the last 50 to 60 years,” the mayor said.
Twyman remembers the “dry wit” his cousin possessed. Aside from his humor was his intellect and drive to promote equity in Glasgow.
“It’s a good beginning, a good start, a good reminder of something that we shouldn’t forget,” Twyman said. “Like the mayor and judge said, we’re all in this community together.”
