UT-Martin Civil Rights Conference includes Native American Civil Rights struggles in Tennessee

By Turner McCullough Jr | February 24, 2009 |

Examining ‘Tennessee Segregation: Civil Rights’ focus of ninth annual Civil Rights Conference

MARTIN: “Tennessee in Segregation and Civil Rights” is the theme of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s ninth annual Civil Rights Conference  running through Feb. 27.

The Rev. James Lawson, who led the successful struggle against segregation in Nashville, will offer the conference keynote address at 7 p.m., Feb. 26, in Watkins Auditorium of Boling University Center. While at Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School, Lawson organized and trained students to challenge segregation in Nashville. Under his tutelage, the Civil Rights Movement made Nashville one of the first Southern cities in which segregation fell.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on visiting Nashville in 1960, proclaimed that, “I came to Nashville not to bring inspiration, but to gain inspiration from the great movement that has taken place in this community.” Lawson trained many future leaders of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, including Diane Nash, James Bevel, Marion Barry, Bernard Lafayette and John Lewis. «Read the rest of this article»

Paris Health Expo focuses on YOUR health and well-being

By Turner McCullough Jr | February 16, 2009 |

Paris and Henry County has shown it loves a good expo, an opportunity to peruse the diversity of opportunities that abound within this geographic area. February 7th’s Health Expo proved to be no exception. The Paris Civic Center was filled with healthcare consumers visiting the over thirty healthcare providers and allied services present to display their various wares and services and discuss health care  information and options.

Jennifer Williams and Stacie Plunkett greet Healthcare Expo visitors

In a four hour block of time, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, the Paris Civic Center was a buzz of activity as over six hundred visitors passed through the center’s doors during the sixth annual Healthcare Expo .

Visitors were greeted by Paris Chamber of Commerce representatives Jenifer Williams and Stacie Plunkett, and asked to sign-in and register for free door prizes and give-a-ways. Each visitor received a free gift bag to fill with the free hand-outs and gifts provided by the diverse vendors. Stacie is chairperson of the Chamber’s Healthcare Committee which coordinates the health expo.

At the center of the expo hall’s setup was Henry County Medical Center’s free testing and screening multi-station. Blood pressure checks, blood sugar reading, cholesterol reading, hand grip strength testing and osteoporosis screenings were provided free. The results were recorded and given to each visitor for review with their personal medical care provider. «Read the rest of this article»