Helen Jernigan honored by Democratic Women
Helen Jernigan was honored recently by the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club for her service in numerous civic, judicial and political activities during several decades.
At an outdoor gathering in Willow Place in Oak Ridge, the Women’s Club presented Jernigan with a resolution congratulating and commending her for outstanding service and leadership in the club.
“Helen Jernigan promoted and supported the mission of Anderson County Democratic Women by holding various offices in the local and state organization, identifying, educating and campaigning for female candidates for various state and local elections, and conducting the business of the local and statewide Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women,” Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said in reading the resolution.
The resolution said Jernigan “supported the Democratic Party of Anderson County by recruiting new voters, organizing outreach campaigns, organizing programming, chairing committees, attending to business of the organization, and promoting the Democratic Party platform.”
Jernigan served residents of Anderson County in the elected position as Circuit Court Clerk for three terms before her retirement, the resolution pointed out.
“The Democratic Women’s Club was proud to present this proclamation to her recognizing her long commitment to community service,” said Betsy Speed, Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club President. “Helen has been an inspiration and a great role model for Anderson County.”
Jernigan has lived in Oak Ridge since the early 1940s, arriving during World War II as the new secret city was being built to support the war effort. She first worked for the new town’s recreational facilities, managing events and encouraging residents to participate in activities such as horseback riding and golf.
She later became associate editor of the K-25 plant newspaper, the Carbide Courier, then worked for local newspapers before her election as Circuit Court Clerk. She was elected to the position in 1984, halfway through the previous clerk’s term, and was reelected in 1986 and 1990 before retiring from the position in 1994.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Helen Jernigan honored by Democratic Women
