Getting To Know Nashville

METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT:

Who Welded the Wooden Handle to the Pewter Spoon?

NASHVILLE, TN(April, 25, 2012)– Nashville’s own Freedom Fighter, John Seigenthaler will be hosting a speaking engagement at the University Club of Nashville on May 9th, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. for the Club’s Getting To Know Nashville series.  The topic of his discussion will be the creation of the Metro  Nashville government system, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and the plans for the ongoing celebration. At the request of Mayor Karl Dean, Seigenthaler, former Metro Councilman George Cate and State Senator Thelma Harper are serving as co-chairs of the planning committee.

A former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Seigenthaler served for 43 years as an award-winning journalist, editor, publisher, and CEO of Nashville’s home newspaperThe Tennessean.  His work in the field of civil rights led to his service as chief negotiator with the Governor of Alabama during the Freedom Rides. During that crisis, while attempting to aid Freedom Riders in Montgomery, Ala., he was attacked by a mob of Klansmen and hospitalized.

The veteran journalist’s lifelong commitment to free expression has made a tremendous mark on the Greater Nashville area.  His most notable contribution being the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, which he established in 1991, to promote dialogue about freedoms of speech, press and religion.

The University Club of Nashville is honored to host Mr. Seigenthaler, and invites the general public to attend this exciting speaking engagement but will require an R.S.V.P. by May 9th at 3:00 p.m.  Reservations can be made at 615.322.8564 or contactus@uclubnashville.org.