"Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist"

presented by speaker Tyler L. Boyd

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31, 2022

CONTACT

Lisa Oakley

East Tennessee Historical Society

oakley@eastTNhistory.org

 

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION & LOCATION

East Tennessee History Center

601 South Gay St.

Knoxville, TN 37902

Register on Eventbrite

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Register on Eventbrite to view on Zoom. Participants can also visit the ETHS Facebook at the start of the program to watch on Facebook Live.

 

(KNOXVILLE, TN, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022) In a time when men dominated the field of journalism, Nellie Kenyon broke down barriers for women reporters. Working for the Chattanooga News, she covered the leadup to the Scopes Trial, helped catch a bank robber, and interviewed Al Capone on his way to prison. After joining the Nashville Tennessean, she did investigative reporting on the Georgia Tann adoption scandal, broke the story about a hidden tape recorder in the governor's office, and covered Jimmy Hoffa's trials in Tennessee. She chronicled some of the 20th century's most memorable episodes in her fifty-year career.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Tyler L. Boyd is the author of the new book "Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist." Born and raised in Athens, he earned his B.A. in History and M.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee and has taught in Loudon, Bradley, and McMinn Counties. He is a Programs Committee member at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum and Vice President of the McMinn County Historical Society. His first book, "Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn," won the East Tennessee Historical Society's Award of Distinction. His third book, coming in 2023, is about a brutal political machine in Polk County that was violently overthrown two years after the Battle of Athens.

ABOUT ETHS

The East Tennessee Historical Society is one of the most active private historical organizations in the state. We specialize in finding creative ways to introduce the public to the fascinating world of history. Lectures, tours, award-winning exhibits, family heritage programs, genealogy classes, and student and teacher education appeal to people of all ages. Recognizing that East Tennessee’s history, heritage, and geography are distinct from the rest of the state, the East Tennessee Historical Society provides services and programs uniquely tailored to the region. ETHS partners with and promotes the history and events of organizations and sites across our 35 counties. We have 45 affiliate chapters across the region. 

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