Arkansas Press Women is pleased to spotlight Sonny Rhodes, a longtime journalist, educator, and community leader who recently joined the APW Board as its historian.
A retired educator and former newspaper reporter, Rhodes brings decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public service. Before beginning a 21-year teaching career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he worked for four Arkansas newspapers: the Pine Bluff Commercial, Log Cabin Democrat, Arkansas Gazette, and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Since retiring from full-time teaching in 2021, Rhodes has remained deeply involved in his community. He is active in his church, Lakewood United Methodist, where he helps support outreach efforts for those facing food insecurity. He also serves as president of the board of trustees for the North Little Rock Library System and sits on the boards of the Arkansas Historical Association, Pulaski County Historical Society, and North Little Rock History Commission. In recent years, he has played a key role in efforts to help reopen North Little Rock’s museum in the Argenta district.
Rhodes said he is especially excited about serving as APW’s historian and helping preserve the organization’s rich legacy.
“In terms of work, these days I am especially excited about the opportunity of being APW’s historian,” he said.
More broadly, Rhodes approaches retirement with enthusiasm and purpose.
“I’m just excited about life in general,” he said. “Each day I set a goal of being the best husband, father, grandfather, and all-around human being that I can be. I like to help people. I also want to keep learning and growing.”
Here are a few things to know about Sonny:
What is a fun fact about you?
I love trivia. In fact, this past Saturday night, my wife, Julie, and I won first place at a trivia contest at a local pub. Our favorite TV show these days is “Jeopardy.”
Why did you join Arkansas Press Women?
I admire APW’s goals. It is especially important these days to stand up for the First Amendment, the Freedom of Information Act, and to promote the highest professional standards possible.
What is your favorite quote, motto, or the best advice you’ve ever been given?
It is hard to know where to begin, but I will offer two:
- More than 50 years ago, a dear friend gave me a philosophy book in which she inscribed: “Keep living and learning.” That has been a huge motivator ever since.
- Another is a quote by the philosopher George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I think I managed to work that quote into every course I taught in my 21 years at UALR, whether it was basic reporting or journalism history. That quote has never been truer than it is today.