U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan presents award to groups

By Caitlyn Nichols

news@heraldsun.com; 419-6641

DURHAM -- U.S. Senator Kay Hagan made a visit to UNC Chapel Hill's campus Friday to speak at a luncheon in honor of the eleven Junior League chapters throughout North Carolina.

The luncheon was held at the Carolina Club at the George Watts Alumni Center where the Junior League chapters were presented the North Carolina Children's Lifetime Legacy Award.

The Legacy Award is presented each year by Action for Children North Carolina, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the safety, health, education and success of the children of North Carolina.

As the keynote speaker for the event, Hagan spoke about the remarkable work that the Junior Leagues do to make a difference in the lives of youth and children throughout the state.

A longtime member of the Junior League herself, Senator Hagan thanked the Junior League of North Carolina for what they have done for the community and "for instilling the idea that we can accomplish anything."

Many of the Junior League chapters have been working since the late 1920s, contributing millions of dollars and volunteer hours to their respective communities, as well as providing programs and organizations that focus on helping women and children in need.

"Women doing worthy, meaningful work is not an isolated thing. It's what we do," Hagan said.

As one of the recipients of the award, The Junior League of Durham/Orange Counties focuses efforts on helping children reach their full potential. The women involved in the league have organized many community projects, sponsored scholarships, and donated $25,000 to Durham's Museum of Life and Science Investigate Health! exhibit.

"The camaraderie of the Junior Leagues is simply unmatched," said Hagan. "[It's] a group of successful, hard-working women uniting together."

All proceeds from the event go toward Action for Children North Carolina. As the state's leading child advocacy organization, Action for Children employs many strategies to improve the lives of youth and children in North Carolina.