Community members gathered at Hopkinsville Community College on Wednesday to remember and celebrate the 72nd birthday of Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pen name bell hooks.
Watkins was an acclaimed author, social theorist, and educator who was born and raised in Hopkinsville. Over the course of her career, Watkins published over 40 books that spotlight her upbringing, explore race and feminism and children’s stories. She passed away in 2021.
To celebrate Watkins’ birthday, the bell hooks Legacy Group, the Christian County Literacy Council, the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County and the community college hosted a bell hooks Book Club meeting where they discussed Watkins’ 1996 book, “Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood.”
The book is split into nameless chapters where Watkins’ shares her experiences of growing up in Hopkinsville during the era of racial segregation.
Watkins’ sister, Gwenda Motley discussed chapter one and says despite growing up in the same household, “Bone Black” shows that they had very different experiences and she admires how Watkins was able to capture her memories.
Francene Gilmer from the literacy council shared that she was close to the Watkins family growing up. Gilmer describes Watkins as a woman of her own who stood firm in what she believed in. She also says that Watkins faced many obstacles that could have deterred her from her path as an author, but is happy she was able to remain determined.
Marsha Johnson, Watkins’ friend and former classmate read from Chapter 52 which details the closure of Attucks High School and the integration of Hopkinsville High School. The chapter details how the integration led to Watkins enjoying school less and not feeling as welcomed.
Johnson says the integration happened in 1967 during their sophomore year and describes the times as a period of social and racial unrest. Instead of walking to school they had to be bussed across town early in the morning in order to attend.
Attendees also spotlighted their memories with Watkins. Her younger sister Valeria Watkins says she would often travel with her sister. Valeria Watkins says it was a shock to see how the world perceived her sister outside of Hopkinsville.
the legacy group continues to host events to remember Watkins. A portion of 8th Street between South Virginia and Clay Streets was named “bell hooks way” earlier this year and the Pennyroyal Area Museum unveiled the bell hooks Legacy Room which is home to pictures and paintings of Watkins as well as some of the books that played a role in her life.