Leadership group renamed

jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com

One of Allene Allen Craddock’s many community causes during her 96 years of life was establishing Leadership Elizabethtown.

Craddock died last month, but her life’s impact will be longstanding.

What has recently been known as the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Leadership program was fitted with a new name Friday: The Allene Craddock Leadership Academy.

“She had a great love of this leadership class and she really pushed it along,’’ said Elizabethtown-Hardin County Chamber of Commerce President Rik Hawkins. “It’s a program that always meant a lot to her.’’

Former chamber president Edith Dupin called Craddock the program’s “mother” at the time of her death on Oct. 4.

The Allene Craddock Leadership Academy was introduced to the current class of 15 at a luncheon.

Hawkins said even late in life Craddock, a former state representative and community activist, kept in touch with what was happening in the program.

“She had a great love for it,’’ Hawkins said.

Hawkins said the focus of the leadership program also is changing.

“There are discussions about a secondary level of leadership, a graduate or masters program of leadership,’’ he said. “You have to work at building strong leadership in a community; it doesn’t happen by accident.’’

The leadership program started locally in 1985. Craddock, who was an honorary chairwoman on the leadership board until her death, also has an award named after her, the Allene Craddock Leadership Award. It is given annually to an outstanding member of each class.

Jeff D’Alessio can be reached at (270) 505-1757.