Pat Gish

Pat Gish
Born
Patricia Ann Burnett

(1927-01-11)January 11, 1927
DiedApril 13, 2014(2014-04-13) (aged 87)
Occupation(s)Newspaper reporter, editor and publisher; rural housing developer
Years active1947–2001
Known forRural housing activism
Notable workThe Mountain Eagle, Eastern Kentucky Housing Development Corporation
SpouseTom Gish (married 1948–2008 (his death))
Awards
  • Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, 1983
  • Joe A. Calloway Award for Civic Service, 1991
  • Environmental Policy Institute's Recognition for Coverage of Coalfields Issues, 1987
  • Pat and Tom Gish Award, 2005

Pat Gish (January 11, 1927 – April 13, 2014) was an American journalist, publisher and co-editor of the Whitesburg, Kentucky newspaper The Mountain Eagle, along with her husband, Tom Gish. The Gishes led The Mountain Eagle in covering controversial topics such as the effects of strip mining on the Appalachian environment and political corruption. Under the Gishes' guidance, The Mountain Eagle became a prominent rural newspaper, and the pair won many awards for their journalism. Gish also founded the Eastern Kentucky Housing Development Corporation and worked to improve living conditions in Eastern Kentucky.