Sisterhood Spotlight - Eunice Payne ('72, '75, '80)

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Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a native of Shelbyville, Ky. I am a three-time alumna of WKU and earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Social Welfare in 1973, a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1975 and a Rank 1 in School Administration and Supervision in 1980—all with honors. I have taken part in Educational Leadership programs sponsored by the National Alliance of Black School Educators, Gheens Foundation, University of Louisville, Kentucky Association for Secondary School Administrators and KET.

Last year, I completed a four-year term as the first Vice President of the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association, a group approximately 3,000 members strong. My professional career in education totaled 41.16 years of service spent entirely in the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) system. I taught many things from English and Social Studies, and I served as a Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal and GED Building Principal. Shortly after retirement, I returned to the workforce as the Assistant Director of Student Relations where I worked for two years until I fully retired to become my mother’s caregiver.

During my tenure at JCPS, I was awarded the Keystone Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Guidance Counselor by the Jefferson County Board of Education. This award recognized a Guidance Counselor for truly being “outstanding and representative” of the school district’s emphasis on the implementation of excellent guidance services. I received accolades from then-Gov. Martha Layne Collins and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. I also received the Outstanding Employee Award from the Jefferson County Board of Education. 

As an Assistant Principal, I was elected President of the Jefferson County Assistant Principals Association. In this position, I served as a liaison between the organization and JCPS, and I developed and implemented seminars and workshops for Assistant Principals to enhance their administrative leadership skills.

I am a former President of Women in School Administration, an organization that seeks to foster the interest of women in preparing for administrative and supervisory positions in the field of education. In this position, I was responsible for maintaining an informational network to identify professional opportunities for the advancement of women in education. I represented 18 different institutions which included colleges, universities, public and private school systems and education-related businesses.

Currently, I am an active member of the Louisville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., WKU Sisterhood, St. Stephen Baptist Church, Louisville League of Women Voters, National Museum of African American History and Culture (Charter Member) and The Messengers for Christ Community Choir.

What does the WKU Sisterhood mean to you? 
The Sisterhood is a “melting pot” of educated women who represent a philanthropic organization which collectively endeavors to enhance funding of selected programs within WKU community.

How long have you been a member of the WKU Sisterhood?
Two years.

How did you hear about the WKU Sisterhood?
I first heard about the WKU Sisterhood in WKU SPIRIT magazine.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the WKU Sisterhood?
I look forward to the presentations of the selected grant finalists and being able to voice my opinion via a vote at the annual luncheon. It makes me proud to see the wonderful initiatives being performed for the betterment of the WKU community and the University as a whole.

Tell us what you would like to see in the future for the WKU Sisterhood?
WKU is a diverse institution. I would like for the Sisterhood make an ongoing effort to develop a retention plan to build up our membership, to increase minority membership and to increase minority program applicants.