The CJ on Thursday raised the past mistakes of one of Gov. Bevin's recent Transportation Cabinet appointees. But the reporting fell far short of telling the whole story of Dr. Noelle Hunter, Ph.D.
It's a story of redemption, resilience and God's grace. It's one that we want for so many Kentuckians who have fallen victim to the scourge of the commonwealth’s illegal drug abuse epidemic. It's one that Gov. Bevin, Kentucky lawmakers of all political stripes and The Courier-Journal itself have recognized in supporting recent legislation to give certain ex-offenders a second chance and to approach criminal justice reform with common sense.
Dr. Hunter is a woman who, like many of our fellow Kentuckians, once battled drug-related demons, but who almost a decade ago, through God’s grace, accepted responsibility for her actions. She is a mother who endured unimaginable adversity with the parental abduction of her daughter, and who at great personal risk made multiple trips to terrorist-infested Sub-Saharan Africa to save her daughter.
She is a talented academic who taught at Morehead State, founded a non-profit organization to assist similarly situated parents in their time of need, served on the staffs of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Legislature, and the Smithsonian, and has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations regarding international child abduction.
Dr. Hunter has made no secret of her mistakes, citing them frequently when sharing her story of recovery and repentance publicly.
I have had the privilege of observing Dr. Hunter as she tirelessly and courageously worked to rescue her daughter from Africa, and have been privy to her eloquent use of her own mistakes to encourage others. I thank Dr. Hunter for her willingness to offer up her imperfect past as an example of the power of redemption and her embrace of the opportunity to serve Kentuckians. I applaud our conservative governor, who demonstrates real leadership in affording a second chance for an extraordinary woman and who advocates for second-chance policies for all Kentuckians. Our commonwealth will benefit mightily from both.
Russell Coleman
Louisville, Ky. 40202 
The author is an attorney at Frost Brown Todd who previously served as legal counsel and senior advisor to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.