Lexington’s Debra Hensley has been awarded the UK Sullivan Medallion for outstanding humanitarian service.
She has worked in insurance and financial services since 1974. When she was a council member for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government from 1986 to 1992, she focused on social justice issues and homelessness. As chair of a task force on homelessness in Lexington, Hensley emerged as a leading force behind the creation of the Hope Center to assist homeless and at-risk people.
Hensley also founded ‘Social Stimulus’ which hosts events featuring local businesses and nonprofits that give back to the community. She also co-founded ‘JustFundKY’, which has a mission of fighting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.