A Glorious Legacy Catlettsburg Names Miss Glorious Hensley Grand Marshal of Labor Day Parade

A Glorious Legacy

Catlettsburg Names Miss Glorious Hensley Grand Marshal of Labor Day Parade

Rebecca Hemlock

The Ashland Beacon

This year’s Catlettsburg Labor Day Parade will be more than a celebration—it will be a heartfelt tribute to a woman whose name has become synonymous with community spirit. Miss Glorious Hensley, a lifelong volunteer, organizer, and civic leader, has been named Grand Marshal, an honor many in the community say is long overdue. Her selection is not just a recognition of her many roles—it’s a celebration of a legacy built through decades of tireless service, quiet leadership, and unwavering devotion to her hometown.

Miss Hensley's story is not defined by titles alone, but by impact—by the countless lives she's touched and the enduring traditions she's helped shape. Her journey began in high school, where she quickly stood out as a young woman determined to give back. She raised funds for school events and the Catlettsburg Youth Center, not for recognition, but to strengthen her community. “Those early campaigns weren’t merely about money; they were about building connections, teaching the value of service, and showing younger students what it means to give back,” Hensley recalls.

She didn’t stop at school fundraisers. Hensley knocked on doors for the March of Dimes and the American Heart Association, teaching her peers and community members about health, responsibility, and compassion. These early acts of service planted seeds that would grow into a lifelong commitment to civic leadership.

Today, Miss Hensley serves as President of the Catlettsburg Leadership Community Development Council, Inc. (CLCDC), a role in which she has reimagined what community leadership can look like. Under her direction, the organization has raised over $250,000 for initiatives like the Floodwall Murals and Victorian Lights—projects that do more than beautify the town; they tell Catlettsburg’s story.

But her impact extends far beyond infrastructure. The CLCDC is responsible for organizing events like the Annual July Fourth Freedom Celebration, “A Catlettsburg Christmas,” and the Third Friday Cruise-In—gatherings that foster unity, celebrate local talent, and create lasting memories. These events not only support local businesses and artists but also create the kind of small-town magic that keeps communities close.

The Labor Day Parade, now in its historic role as a staple of the town’s cultural life, holds particular significance this year with Hensley at the helm. It marks a symbolic capstone to her decades of service—not as an end, but as a moment of reflection and gratitude from the people she’s uplifted for so long. “The parade in Catlettsburg isn’t merely a spectacle; it is a communal acknowledgement of the labor, sacrifice, and civic spirit that keep small towns thriving,” shared Hensley.

In addition to her civic leadership, Hensley has played a key role in uplifting the region’s youth and preserving its traditions. She has co-chaired the Miss Flame Pageant for over 50 years, partnering with the Labor Day celebration to provide a platform for local talent and community pride. She also spent more than a decade as co-chair of the Miss Ashland Scholarship Pageant, which connects young women from Catlettsburg and the surrounding region to broader opportunities through Miss Kentucky and Miss America.

These roles reflect her deep belief in recognizing potential and nurturing ambition in young people. “It’s about more than a crown or a sash,” she says. “It’s about giving young women the confidence to lead and the courage to serve.”

Hensley’s influence also touches the agricultural and educational fabric of Boyd County. Her work with the Boyd County Cooperative Extension Board and Council supports family programs, youth development, and agricultural education. As Treasurer of the Boyd County Homemakers and President of the Catlettsburg Homemakers Club, she helps foster networks that empower local families.

Her work with 4-H exemplifies her intergenerational impact. As a Sewing Club volunteer and leader of service projects like Quilts of Valor for Veterans, she connects youth with meaningful community service. Her efforts in the Summer Sewing Program and fundraising for 4-H Camp help ensure that all young people have access to creative and educational opportunities.

Beyond education and civic projects, Hensley has also served as a cultural steward. A former First Lady of Catlettsburg, she now sits on the board of the Russell E. Compton Museum and Train Depot, where she helps preserve the town’s rich history. Her commitment to storytelling and preservation is matched by her role as Treasurer at Catlettsburg Community Church and active member of the Women’s Circle, where she supports both spiritual and social connections within the community.

Her kindness extends to those most in need. Through the Mat Project, she helps crochet mats for the homeless. She decorates the Highlands Museum, volunteers at the Homemakers County Fair, and continues to help organize community events that bring life and color to Catlettsburg’s streets.

“In naming Miss Glorious Hensley as Grand Marshal,” a town official noted, “Catlettsburg is not simply recognizing a person; it is celebrating a philosophy of community life.”

Indeed, her story is a testament to the idea that real change happens through small, consistent acts of service—through one fundraiser, one child mentored, one event planned at a time. Her life's work is a blueprint for how to build and sustain a community from the ground up, rooted in compassion, commitment, and care.

As the Labor Day Parade approaches, Catlettsburg will not only honor its heritage but also spotlight the woman who has done so much to preserve and shape it. With Miss Glorious Hensley leading the way, this year’s parade promises to be more than a celebration—it will be a living tribute to the power of service, the strength of community, and the enduring spirit of a woman who has given her all.

The story of Miss Glorious Hensley is, in many ways, the story of Catlettsburg itself: resilient, creative, inclusive, and endlessly hopeful.