JENNIFER MOONSONG
GLASGOW NEWS 1
Luska J. Twyman was born in the hamlet of Hiseville in May 1913. Little did he know that 54 years later, after many other notable accomplishments, he would become Kentucky’s first black mayor. Furthermore, the year was 1968, a pivotal year in American history. It was a time ripe with controversy and conflict, as social unrest grew over the Vietnam War, race relations and the women’s rights movement. Twyman took office in Glasgow on Sept. 24, just five months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Barren County native Luska Twyman was Kentucky’s first black mayor and Glasgow’s first black council member. PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY HISTORIC ARCHIVE
Twyman, who had been the city’s first black city councilman, first became mayor by way of appointment following the resignation of mayor Robert Lessenberry; however, when the next election came about, he had clearly proven himself to the people of Glasgow. He carried all nine precincts, from which 90 percent of the voters were white. During the election, the Glasgow Daily Times endorsed Twyman, who was a Republican. The endorsement described Twyman’s style as “calm and deliberate leadership that has been marked by progress and harmony.”
As mayor, he became known for his easy-going approach and fair and balanced views. During his tenure, Glasgow’s industry grew, and many businesses that provided jobs came to Glasgow, including Eaton Axle.
Although being the first black mayor in the commonwealth is what landed Twyman in Kentucky history books, it was far from his only accomplishment. Arguably, his biggest success might be his overall philanthropic nature and forward-thinking ideas that left a lasting impact on Barren County, and perhaps more importantly, on the people who remember him.
As a young man, he served in World War II. Returning to his native Barren County to become a school teacher at the Ralph J. Bunche segregated high school. He later became the principal and, once the school systems were segregated, Twyman was the assistant principal at Glasgow High School.
This historic marker on the Barren County Courthouse lawn in Glasgow summarizes Luska Twyman’s life. PHOTO COURTESY OF HISTORIC MARKER ARCHIVE
Twyman also delved deeply into civic service and worked cooperatively to accomplish much for his city and state. He was a member of the National Education Association and Kentucky Education Association, and he served as board chairman for Kentucky State University, which named him among its 100 outstanding centennial alumni. He also received an honorary law degree from Simmons Bible College in 1971.
Twyman was Glasgow’s mayor until 1986. He died in 1988, and was buried in Bearwallow, not far from his native Hiseville. His service to the community he loved has had lasting effects that have influenced positive growth and development for generations.
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