The American Red Cross will honor former N.C. Cultural Resources Secretary Betty McCain at its Heroes Banquet on March 1 at Wilson Country Club. The banquet kicks off the Frederick E. Turnage Chapter’s Heroes Campaign during the month of March, which is National Red Cross Month.
In addition to her work as secretary of Cultural Resources (1993-2001), McCain has served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the UNC-TV Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors of the Lineberry Cancer Center, the UNC Alumni Association and numerous other organizations. She has been a leader in the N.C. Museum of History Associates, the N.C. Symphony Society and the N.C. Arts Society and served as president of the N.C. Medical Association Auxiliary in 1968-69. While serving in her Cabinet post, she raised $250,000 to continue the excavation of the Queen Anne’s Revenge pirate ship near Beaufort after state funding was cut.In her adopted hometown of Wilson, where she moved in 1956 with her husband, the late Dr. John McCain, she has raised money for the hospital, the public schools and the county library as well as for other local nonprofits and charitable causes.
“Betty McCain is a hero to her community and to the entire state for all the work she has done to make this a better place,” said Lynwood Roberson, regional executive for the American Red Cross in eastern North Carolina. “It is our privilege to honor her as a Red Cross Hero for her lifetime of tireless work on behalf of culture, health, education and local progress.”
McCain has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including the North Caroliniana Award and the N.C. Award for Public Service. She has been involved in political campaigns since the 1960 gubernatorial campaign for Terry Sanford. She served as state Democratic Party chair in 1976 and co-chaired Jim Hunt’s first two gubernatorial campaigns. She was campaign manager for Hunt’s unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign.
Tickets to the banquet are available at the American Red Cross offices in Wilson (703-B W. Nash St.) and Rocky Mount (326 S. Franklin St.) Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple. A silent auction also will be held at the banquet with all proceeds going to the local Red Cross.
