African-American Woman Honored by Country Music Hall of Fame

Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presented Hot Springs, AR native, Petrella, “The First Lady of Country Soul” with a Certificate of Appreciation for her donation to the Museum collection and for her broader contributions to country music, and also for her generous Dreams of the Heartland Foundation gift that made a scholarship opportunity possible at the Museum.

Artifacts from her 30 year career in country music including video media, recorded sound media, several wardrobe items, the cover of Cashbox Magazine, and documents from her career were donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Her 2015 Dreams of the Heartland gift was an early encouragement for engaging minority interns with the Museum’s work.  Based on that encouragement the Hall of Fame and Museum will soon offer a paid internship program that will be available to minority students on a recurring basis. The 2015 grant was a catalyst for this new opportunity.