There are few opportunities to say “Thank You” to meaningful people in the community before too much time has passed and they are no longer with us.

Fortunately, the Selma Rotary Club acted in time to honor The Selma Times-Journal’s Life and Style editor emeritus as one of its Paul Harris Fellows, which carries with it Citizen of the Year.

Jean Martin has worked hard to bridge the gap here in Selma between black and white. She has been successful, to wit, the accolades she receives from both white and black residents when her name is mentioned.

She has covered Selma social events and society without an eye to race, rather with a heart for the readers of this community and the subscribers to this newspaper.

Her “Golden Girls” stories of women of age who have contributed to Selma and Dallas County in meaningful ways have become a staple of the Life and Style Sunday pages.

And Martin’s work at the Old Depot Museum stands for itself. She has brought history alive — from the Civil War to civil rights — in so many different ways.

She stands for what is correct.

She loves her hometown and would, even to this day, battle someone who would denigrate it.

She knows the meaning of community and all that goes with creating one.

Congratulations to our “Miss Jean” for the honor of being Citizen of the Year.