11 May 2025 The day of Diane

By Mary Eggart

Diane Barnes of Morrilton is the epitome of a 501DER WOMAN. As a lifetime resident, her enthusiasm and passion for public service are exceptional.

On Nov. 9, 2024, Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer issued a public proclamation, deeming it “Diane Barnes Day.” On this day, the nonprofit organization Conway County Community Visionaries (founded by Barnes in 2023) presented her with an evening of appreciation for all her work and dedication to the people of Conway County. She received a plaque naming her a Phenomenal Woman “Getting the Job Done.” Held at the Rialto Community Arts Center (formerly the Rialto Theatre) in Morrilton, the mayor spoke at the event on her behalf. His proclamation praised Barnes for her leadership as a community activist. 

As the chairperson of Conway County’s first Juneteenth celebration in 2024, Barnes spent countless hours organizing a successful event that had more than 300 people of all ages in attendance. Describing the day as “magical,” she credits her committee for much of the event’s success, saying, “Our coming together, making decisions, agreeing, disagreeing — it all worked!” 

Barnes’ persistence and passion are certainly infectious. 

“When Diane asks you (tells you) to do it, she does everything with a big smile and so much energy,” Lipsmeyer affectionately said. 

In October 2024, Barnes received the Leadership Award from the Conway County Branch of the NAACP. The award stated, “In appreciation for your outstanding service, superb leadership in all that you do for the community, church, veterans, political candidates, voter registration, Petit Jean Headlight newspaper, 501 LIFE Magazine, and especially noteworthy is your leadership in the first Conway County Juneteenth celebration where over 300 people attended.” 

Barnes credits the women in her family for shaping her into the woman she has become. Her mother, eldest sister, sister-in-law and cousin all had their particular areas of influence. She admired each one of them from the time she was a child. Her mother was a minister. “My mother first introduced me to Christian living and taught me responsibility and moral living. Being raised by a female minister, I gave my life to Christ as a young adult and am a strong believer,” she said. Barnes also credits her sense of style and love of fashion to her mother. Her sister, sister-in-law and cousin also had a profound influence on her life as they were all exemplary women who modeled kindness, integrity and tenacity. 

Barnes is the proud mother of three, two sons and one daughter. As a single mom, she chose to approach a challenging life with self-reflection accompanied by a positive mindset. “That period of single-hood/single parenting was my rebirth in connecting truly within my deepest inner-self. I said to myself, ‘You can retaliate, or you can recalibrate your life.’ I chose to do the latter.” 

Barnes’ experiences as a single parent inspired her to help other single mothers as well. One of the first projects she took on was a divorced women’s support group that met at UACCM in Morrilton. “I would be there even if only one showed up because that one who took the time needed the support.” 

Later, she started a community food pantry in her church that was followed by an annual Superior Saints Appreciation Day, which recognized the senior citizens of the church. 

In addition to Barnes’ love of fashion, she also has a passion for art created by African American artists. In the late 1980s, she was going through a JET Magazine and became enthralled by pictures created by Black artists. “This was a revolution to me!” she said. “It was the most beautiful art I had ever seen! I recognized me! I didn’t know Black artists existed, and there were Black artists.” Inspired, Barnes started a business going door-to-door selling similar pieces of art. She gave it the name Diane’s Art Sells. “To be honest, I didn’t care if I sold the art. I just wanted to show it off,” she said. “But the art prints did sell! There are still homes to this day that have my framed art décor on their walls.” She later began hosting an annual art show during Black History Month. With the help of her children, their friends and the community, the event would showcase a fashion show, a guest speaker and a drawing for a deluxe gift basket that would conclude the event.

Additionally, Barnes is a writer and author. Released in 2018, her book “I’m a Loser” targets one’s health and how to remain healthy through lifestyle changes. She also writes for 501 LIFE and has other projects in the works. As an avid reader and critical thinker, writing has been an important component of her life. She attributes this to her seventh-grade English teacher, who was impressed with her essays and compositions and told her she could be a writer. “She not only saw my potential but spoke it to me. She planted the seed,” she said.

Diane Barnes is a superwoman who has been inspired by a host of superwomen. Her infectious resolve and passion for life, while serving others, are exceptional. As a result, she will continue to inspire the future superwomen of the Conway County community and beyond.