Rural Reclaimer
Athens, TN
TOPICS
Democracy
Activism
Leadership
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!'
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?