Whitney Kimball Coe

Rural Reclaimer

Athens, TN

@whitneykcoe

TOPICS
Democracy
Activism
Leadership

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Whitney Kimball Coe is quietly, steadily slaying inaccurate and dangerous stereotypes about who rural America really is. As the leader of the National Rural Assembly, she brings rural leaders and advocates together to break bread, gain skills, and seed collaborations. Together, they are painting a new, more varied and vital story about rural America.

Whether gracing the stage at the Obama Foundation’s inaugural summit or writing one of her columns for her local paper, Kimball Coe never loses sight of the majesty of real, locally grown human relationships. She has what she calls a “practice of participation” in her hometown of Athens, Tennessee, where she still lives, alongside many generations of her family—doing community theater, participating in council meetings, showing up over and over again. She speaks about civic courage in a moment when we need her message, and her modeling, so very much.

You are amazing and helped create a memorable, meaningful experience for 150 rural shapers. Thank you for saying 'Yes!'

--Joe Bartmann, organizer, RuralX Conference

I’m always thinking about, how do I show up? How do I show up in the world and in my community and beyond, and am I going to show up with an open mind, an open heart, and with the curiosity?

--Whitney Kimball Coe, On Being

@FRESHSpeakers

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FRESH Speakers, Inc. is a next-generation speakers bureau, uniquely representing women and people of color--two groups historically left off the public stage. Our speakers range from business leaders to artists, scientists to athletes. They have given ground-breaking TED talks and written best-selling books, but, more importantly, their wisdom comes from real world, lived experiences. FRESH speakers routinely grace the world's biggest thought leadership stages, host nonprofit benefits, and keynote Fortune 100 corporate retreats, university lecture series, leading tech conferences, grassroots organizing convenings, and countless other venues, the world over.

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