By SAM HATCHER

For years she's been called "mom."
 
Of course she’s been called that by her own children and then also by an extended family, those who have passed through the doors of Leadership Wilson.

Yes, Lucy Lee, the honoree at last night's annual Wilson County Library Roast, was the first executive director of Leadership Wilson and held that post until just a few years back when she was replaced by Dorie Mitchell.

By SAM HATCHER

For years she's been called "mom."
 
Of course she’s been called that by her own children and then also by an extended family, those who have passed through the doors of Leadership Wilson.

Yes, Lucy Lee, the honoree at last night's annual Wilson County Library Roast, was the first executive director of Leadership Wilson and held that post until just a few years back when she was replaced by Dorie Mitchell.

She has taught us all. I was in her first class in 1994 and since then there have been more than 200 graduates of Leadership Wilson that have included a broad range of folks from all over Wilson County and from all professions and backgrounds.

Lucy was a good teacher, a good "mother," because, as they say, "she got it."

She knows now and she knew then the importance of learning about our community from the inside out. She showed us why it's important to know about the needs of certain nonprofit organizations, about how state laws are passed, who our elected officials are, and a thousand other lessons dealing with being a better citizen in our own community.

A longtime community and civic leader herself, Lucy epitomizes what it means to be active in the community. She is a volunteer in every sense of the word. She is active in her church, First United Methodist, a past president of the Lebanon Lunch Rotary and is the first name to be called upon for charity and civic work.

Congratulations Lucy on being selected this year's honoree at the Library Roast. You are without doubt most deserving.