026-24 RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE INSTALLATION OF CHIEF JUSTICE HENRY E. AND SHIRELY T. FRYE SCULPTURE
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2023, the City council voted unanimously in favor of memorializing longtime community advocates Justice Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye;
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Frye have resided in Greensboro over the last 70 years; Mr. Henry was born in Ellerbe, North Carolina (NC) on August 1, 1932; where he farmed tobacco and cotton on the family farm;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Frye was born in Fermont, NC on October 12th 1932; relocated to Greensboro during her teens, and worked as a waitress;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye graduated from Ellerbe Colored High School; and upon completion he relocated to Greensboro where he attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T);
WHEREAS, Mrs. Frye also enrolled at NC A&T; graduated with honors; and thereafter pursued a Master’s Degree from Syracuse University;
WHEREAS, during Mr. Frye’s tenure at NC A&T he became involved in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corp to student government;
WHEREAS, after Mrs. Frye obtained her Masters she served as President of the Greensboro Young Women’s Christian Association; and held Human Relations Advisory Committee chair position now known as the Human Rights Advisory Commissions;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye enlisted into the Air Force; and became a United States Air Force Captain serving in Korea and Japan;
WHEREAS, Mrs. Frye went on to serve as a Special Education Coordinator for Bennett College for 4 years; and later worked with Greensboro’s Direction Service;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye, following his return from the Air Force, met challenges to vote; this experience inspired him to become a lawyer; and focus on law at the University of North Carolina School of Law; he was the first African American to enter UNC Law School as a first year student; upon completion he graduated and passed the bar exam; Mr. Frye proceeded to open his own law practice in Greensboro;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye embarked on a political career; and in 1963 he became the first African American Assistant United States District Attorney, one of the first African- Americans to hold such a position in South; and later Mr. Frye became the first African American elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in the twentieth century;
WHEREAS; Mrs. Frye worked in various education and community positions from 1953-2007, including a second grade teacher and exceptional children in Greensboro Public Schools; Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Development and University Relations; and Assistant Director of University Foundation at North Carolina A&T State University;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye was sworn-in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1969; contributed to the elimination of Jim Crow from North Carolina Law; was elected to the state Senate from 1981-1982; during that time he also instructed at North Carolina Central University’s law school;
WHEREAS, North Carolina Supreme Court appointed Mr. Frye as an Associate Justice, again a first as African-American in North Carolina history; was elected in 1984 and re-elected in 1992 where he was appointed to the state’s highest judicial post as Chief Justice;
WHEREAS; Mrs. Frye served as an officer in the Sir Walter Cabinet; served on the Boards of Visitors for Advisory Boards of Guilford College, Greensboro College, Wake Forest University, Court Watch of North Carolina, North Carolina Humanities Council, Kids Voting and Reading Connections; was Vice President and member of the Greater Greensboro United Way; and most recently served as the Vice President of community relations for WFMY News 2;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye served organizations including Alpha Kappa Mu Honorary Society; and organized and served as President of the Greensboro National Bank, the first Greensboro African- American owned bank;
WHEREAS; the YWCA Greensboro honored longtime leader, Mrs. Frye, with the permanent naming of their newly renovated building in 2016; followed in 2017 with her receiving the distinguished honor of “Woman of the Year”;
WHEREAS, Mr. Frye was recognized and awarded with several honors including the North Carolina Award for public service in 2007; a honorary co-chairman of the U.S Senate campaign of Kenneth Lewis; named chairman of the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership in 2013; awarded by the General Alumni Association with the Distinguished Service Medal in 2014; and had a bridge named in his honor in 2018;
WHEREAS; Both Mr. and Mrs. Frye have become true trailblazers throughout Greensboro; with their influence shaping our political nation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO:
1. That in recognition of Justice Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye, this Resolution and dedication sculpture represents appreciation for their hard work; they have indented their footprints giving a lasting impression that can be seen not only in our community, but nationwide.
2. That a copy of this resolution shall be delivered to the family of Justice Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye to showcase the appreciation of the City of Greensboro.
(Signed) Yvonne Johnson