Noted philanthropist and former Louisville Courier Journal's family heir, Sallie Bingham, passes away at 88 in Santa Fe.
Sallie Bingham: A Pioneer in Women's Rights and Arts
Sallie Bingham, a writer and philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 88 in New Mexico. Born into the Bingham family that had owned the Louisville Courier-Journal since 1918, she played a significant role in the newspaper's history and the advancement of women's rights.
Bingham joined the Courier-Journal staff in 1981, challenging the newspaper’s management on issues of employee treatment, especially concerning women and minorities. This activism contributed to internal family conflicts that eventually led to the downfall of the Bingham media dynasty and the sale of the newspapers in the 1980s.
Following the turmoil, Bingham founded the Kentucky Foundation for Women in 1985. This pioneering organization was established with some of the proceeds from the sale of the Louisville newspapers and was dedicated to supporting feminist expression in the arts and promoting positive social change. The foundation's mission included a farmhouse named Hopscotch House, which served as a secluded retreat for women artists.
Bingham's role was twofold: her activism and challenge within the family newspaper business helped precipitate its sale, and her founding of the Kentucky Foundation for Women institutionalized her commitment to feminist causes in Kentucky and beyond.
The Kentucky Foundation for Women, created to support women artists and writers, particularly those working for social change, continues to operate today. However, a lawsuit regarding the sale of Hopscotch House remains pending in federal court in Louisville following Bingham's death. In 2021, Bingham herself filed a lawsuit against the foundation, arguing that its attempt to sell Hopscotch House went against its mission.
Bingham was one of three children of Barry Bingham Sr. and his wife, Mary, who owned the Louisville Courier Journal for nearly seven decades. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Bingham Miller, two sons, Barry Ellsworth and Christopher Iovenko, and five grandchildren.
The Kentucky Foundation for Women praised Bingham's efforts to support women artists and effect social change in a statement following her death. They acknowledged her significant contributions to the arts and activism in Kentucky and beyond. Bingham's legacy continues to inspire and impact the lives of many.
[1] The Louisville Courier Journal sale: A family feud
[2] Obituary: Sallie Bingham
[3] The Bingham Family: A Tumultuous Sale of the Louisville Courier-Journal
Read also:
- Chinese Ambassador issues stern message to India regarding Trump's tariffs in midst of escalating trade feuds
- Arsenal veteran Thomas Partey granted temporary release until September
- Highlighting the Significance of Off-the-beat Experiences
- Oasis' exceptional branding techniques that arguably are unmatched in the music industry
