Sallie Bingham, revered offspring of the celebrated proprietors of the Louisville Courier Journal, passes away at 88 in Santa Fe.
Sallie Bingham, a writer, philanthropist, and champion of women's causes, has passed away at the age of 88 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Known for her significant role in shaping the Kentucky Foundation for Women (KFW) and her advocacy for women's rights, Bingham's legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations.
A Media Insider Turned Feminist Activist
Born into the Bingham family, owners of the Louisville Courier Journal for nearly seven decades, Sallie Bingham served as a book editor at the newspaper. Her experience within the media dynasty exposed her to the undervalued and vulnerable status of women, predominantly in lower-paid roles such as mail distribution, cooking, serving, secretarial work, and cleaning [3]. This awareness served as the catalyst for her activism, inspiring her to create a foundation supporting women artists and writers.
Founding the Kentucky Foundation for Women
The sale of the Louisville Courier Journal in 1986, a national headline, provided Bingham with the means to establish the Kentucky Foundation for Women (KFW) in 1985, just before the sale. She served as its first director until her move to New Mexico in 1991. The nonprofit, inspired by Bingham's time at the newspaper, supports women artists and feminist expression in the arts, contributing to positive social change [1][3].
Under Bingham's leadership, KFW became a lasting instrument for feminist advocacy in the arts. Her efforts were celebrated on the foundation's 40th anniversary [3]. Beyond KFW, Bingham also founded the Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture at Duke University, further extending her influence in preserving and promoting women’s voices historically and culturally [1][5].
A Lasting Legacy
Bingham's philanthropic and activist work included endowing archival positions and creating a major repository for women’s history materials at Duke University, amplifying women’s cultural visibility and historical documentation [1]. Her relinquishment of management of the foundation to the board and a new executive director allowed her vision to continue, with the institution remaining a powerful force for change.
As Bingham's family-owned media companies were sold, she faced criticism for her role in the sale. However, she believed she was unfairly blamed and maintained her commitment to supporting women's causes [4]. Last year, she filed a lawsuit against the Kentucky Foundation for Women, arguing that its attempt to sell an eastern Jefferson County farmhouse it owned went against its mission [2]. The litigation remains pending in federal court in Louisville.
In memory of Sallie Bingham, her legacy as a pioneering philanthropist and feminist activist will continue to inspire and motivate those who strive for gender equality and social justice.
References
- The Courier-Journal
- Louisville Business First
- Kentucky Foundation for Women
- Duke University
- Duke Today
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