LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)- The Fayette County Board of Education has agreed unanimously to name the city’s latest elementary school after a fallen Lexington firefighter.
Brenda Cowan was the city’s first African-American female firefighter. She was killed in the line of duty in 2004 when she was shot while trying to help a patient.
A campaign was launched when Frederick Douglass High School was being built to name the school after Cowan, but the group was unsuccessful. That all changed Monday evening when the board voted unanimously to name the school in honor of the first responder, a school board member confirms.
“It is absolutely fitting that we should name our newest school for a courageous woman like Lt. Cowan, who gave her life in service to our community,” said Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk. “The location of our new elementary is within the coverage area of Station 18, where Lt. Cowan served throughout her tenure with the Lexington Fire Department. Placing her name on this school continues her legacy of service and honors all of our first responders who dedicate their lives in protection of others.”
The new elementary school is being built on Athens-Boonesborough Road. It will open in August of 2019.
