On Monday, October 16, at 10:00 am in the morning, District 12 CDE Mary Westfall-Holbrook will convene an incredible group of people to memorialize Ms. Gayle Lawson by naming a bridge on US 119 in Letcher County in her honor.

I was invited to go to the event by the Cabinet and by Calvin Grayson – who knew Ms. Lawson well. In his words – she was tireless.

After a little research, his point was proven. Ms. Lawson was a teacher by trade, which is an undertaking in itself. In her spare time, she worked to better her community. From working with the Harlan County Committee on Aging to the Harlan County Justice Center, Ms. Lawson gave her time to make sure her community had the resources it needed to succeed.

And part of her advocacy included working on US 119. She knew that connectivity was important – and she knew that US 119 played a big role in safely and efficiently connecting Harlan and other parts of East Kentucky to the rest of the country.

Gayle Lawson understood that moving your community and your state forward required being able to move on an interconnected transportation network.

She didn’t quit. She didn’t give up. She didn’t stop – she persevered.

Thankfully, our association is full of members who share Ms. Lawson’s passion.

If you can find a way to get to Letcher County on Monday morning, I know Ms. Lawson and everyone who depends on US 119 would appreciate it.