This past Tuesday, February 20th, a statue was unveiled in Center City Park in honor of Justice Henry E. Frye and Shirley T. Frye. This inspiring Greensboro couple attended the event with their family, Governor Roy Cooper, Mayor Nancy Vaughn, and other prominent Greensboro citizens. It is so appropriate that both appear on the statue together as they are a team, united in their efforts to serve community and to live meaningful lives. Henry Frye has achieved many firsts in his life, Among them, he was the first African-American chief justice in North Carolina; the first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly; and the first to graduate from the UNC School of Law. Both graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1953. He and Mrs. Frye have both been involved in a number of civic causes throughout their lives.
The statue was funded by the Bryan Foundation and created by artist/sculptor Maria Kirby Smith. We were told she had the Fryes model several outfits before their settling on the ones in the sculpture above. On Mrs. Frye's left shoulder is a butterfly pin, adding a touch of her personal flair to the piece. We learned that Chief Justice Frye has his own personal style. He can articulately summarize a meeting and do so in rhyme. While we were admiring the statue, the above, unidentified couple came to see it. We love the way their holding hands echoes the Fryes' gesture. Truly, the Fryes are a team.
Happy Saturday!
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