Peggy Meadows: Houston County Bar Association’s 2020 Liberty Bell Award recipient

The Houston County Bar Association surprised Peggy Meadows, legal secretary for the Houston County Public Defender’s office, Monday, announcing her as the 2020 Liberty Bell Award winner.

This year the association could not hold its annual award luncheon due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but president, LaToya Bell, and members wanted to present Meadows the award in a special way.

“On Monday, we held a special celebratory parade outside of her office,” Bell said. “The parade included her family, friends, members of the bar, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Warner Robins Fire Department. We then presented her the award as well as a catered lunch, which we are grateful to the Back Burner Restaurant in Macon for providing her meal. It was a fun surprise.”

The Liberty Bell Award is given to a friend of the Houston County Bar Association who has demonstrated a commitment to the community in helping others understand the legal system in a better way. Bell said they also have to be a non-lawyer. It’s also the highest award a non-lawyer can receive from a bar association.

“Every year, we ask our members for nominations,” Bell said. “The executive board then reviews and takes a vote. Peggy was nominated because she has over 20 years experience within the Houston County legal system. She started off the in D.A.’s (District Attorney’s) office then transitioned into the Public Defender’s office. She is well respected on both sides and truly is invaluable. We are also going to be making a donation in her honor to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer charity. Members of the bar agreed that since we could not hold our normal luncheon, the money that we would normally spend, whoever the winner was, we would donate to the charity of their choice.”

Meadows was born and raised in Warner Robins. She began working for the county in 1993, and for the last 15 years has worked in the Houston County Public Defender’s office. When asked how it feels to be this year’s Liberty Bell Award recipient, Meadows said she is truly honored.

“I was so surprised earlier this week, I truly had no idea,” Meadows said. “It was a great overwhelming feeling to receive this award. I am honored and grateful to the Houston County Bar Association. I love and enjoy my job and helping others in the community.”

Meadows said she chose the Susan G. Komen charity because she had two sisters that passed away from breast cancer.

“There is so much more research that needs to be done,” Meadows said. “I miss my sisters very much and there needs to be a cure.”

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