ATHENS, Ohio — William “Billy” Peacock received the 2023 Athena Award at a ceremony last week for his service to people living with disabilities in the greater Athens community.
Peacock, a lifelong Athens County resident, is active in several local organizations focused on advocating and creating space for people with disabilities.
“I’m glad to be a mentor … and lead by example,” Peacock said in an interview. “I’m hoping that there’ll be somebody one day who will follow in my footsteps.”
Athens Mayor Steve Patterson and Davey McNelly, chairperson of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, presented the award at the Nov. 1 ceremony.
“People are doing so much advocacy … and I think a lot of that work goes unrecognized,” McNelly said. “I really appreciate the city of Athens allowing us to put together this event, for giving out this award, because it really does bring together a roomful of advocates who are all doing the work, and to acknowledge what we’re doing.”
Peacock is president of Athens County People First, part of a statewide group that “assists people with disabilities who are self-advocates to talk about their needs and rights with people in their communities.” He also serves as vice president of Athens County Community Singers, a choir for people with and without disabilities. The choir performed at the Athena Award ceremony.
Peacock said the community singers “open the door for folks to do some performing instead of being locked in a so-to-speak closet.”
Peacock also is a graduate of Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility, which trains people with disabilities to advocate for themselves. He serves as an advocate with Integrate Athens, a community engagement division of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
In addition to his local work, Peacock advocates for local people with disabilities at the state level. In 2009, he initiated an advocacy process which led the state legislature to remove the “R-word” from state resources and documents in 2016, including by changing the name of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
“I felt it was time that we had to do something about it,” Peacock said.
“I’ve worked with Billy for many years. He’s been just a mentor of mine, and so to see him recognized — it’s a beautiful night,” said Autumn Brown, who nominated Peacock for the award. “He has taught me to look beyond somebody’s disability to really be able to see their abilities and their talents and gifts. He’s so patient and kind. He’s an advocate that is like a gentle wind, most of the time, and he’s taught me how to be patient and persistent to get things done.”
Peacock was among five nominees for the ninth annual Athena Award, the only award the city gives.
Other nominees included:
- Scott Dennis, a former member of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and current employee of HAVAR, which connects people with and without disabilities to community services;
- Ben Dikis, a caretaker for people who live with disabilities;
- Meredith Erlewine, the Athens City-County Creating Healthy Communities coordinator and accessibility and health equity advocate; and
- Tina Carnes Kelsey, an artist with Passion Works who supports the studio’s work with artists who have developmental differences.
“Just thinking, for instance, of all the years and years and decades of dedication that people like Billy Peacock and Scott Dennis, Meredith Erlewine, Ben Dikis and Tina as well have put into our community — it feels like this unseen force of things that have changed because of these people,” McNelly said.
Dr. jw Smith, an Ohio University professor and the 2019 Athena Award winner, introduced the nominees at the ceremony. Speakers at the ceremony included Patterson, McNelly, Athens City Council member Micah McCarey, Athens County Community Singers director Stephanie Morris, and Athens City Commission on Disabilities member Dr. Ally Hughes.
