WS Chronicle

Woman of the Year

The busiest man in Winston-Salem couldn’t hold such a distinctive title without the city’s busiest woman by his side to help guide his way.

We all know three-term Mayor Allen Joines; fewer of us are familiar with his longtime assistant, Linda Jackson-Barnes, but she’s a prime example of the many in our town who with little fanfare keep things moving and shaking.

At City Hall, Linda has more than enough on her plate. When she is not helping the mayor implement his many initiatives and policies, she’s his pinch-hitter, acting as the Mayor’s liaison to various community organizations and citizens groups.

Serving as that vital link between Winston-Salemites and their mayor is one of Linda’s core responsibilities and one she does not take lightly. She makes sure residents’ questions are answered, their concerns addressed and that conflicts meet some sense of resolution.

Thanks in no small part to Linda’s dedication to her job and local residents, Mayor Joines enjoys the reputation of being one of the most accessible and approachable leaders that this city has ever known.

Linda has long excelled at whatever she puts her mind to. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga alumna left behind a near-quarter century-long career in law enforcement when she and her family left the Volunteer State for the Tar Heel State.

Beginning her career as a patrol officer, Linda quickly earned the respect of her colleagues and that of the residents she was charged with protecting and serving. She scaled up the ladder, in quick succession, becoming a detective, sergeant and eventually a lieutenant, and earning “Officer of the Year” and “Distinguished Achievement in Law Enforcement” honors, along with a slew of other awards.

Career and public service have always gone hand-in-hand for Linda. Her busy schedule doesn’t prevent her from freely giving her time, energy and creativity to nonprofit and social organizations. When she is not engaged in community outreach projects with her Alpha Kappa Alpha or Links, Inc. sisters, she’s at her home church, United Metropolitan Missionary, playing an active role to further its Divinely-inspired mission.

For her unheralded role in uplifting this city and its residents, The Chronicle and the community it serves are proud to call Linda Jackson-Barnes our Woman of the Year.