Press release from Buncombe County Government:
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today awarded four western North Carolina leaders with the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award. The attorney general distributes these awards annually to honor North Carolinians who work to keep people safe, healthy, and happy in their communities.
The western North Carolina recipients are:
Sheriff Quentin Miller
“The older, untested sexual assault kits sitting on local law enforcement shelves are a threat to our public safety,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Sheriff Miller recognized that threat and made it a priority to process those kits for testing. His leadership and his office’s work on this issue puts us one step closer to getting justice for survivors and getting violent criminals off our street.”
Sheriff Quentin Miller leads the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Rep. Jake Johnson
“The people of western North Carolina know all too well the headache of not having a reliable internet connection and how it negatively impacts their daily lives,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “I’m grateful to Rep. Jake Johnson for fighting for funding for broadband access in our state budget. His efforts will improve the quality of life for people across our state.”
Rep. Jake Johnson represents District 113 (Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties) in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Octavia Hamilton
“Ms. Hamilton is an example of what the best of our teachers can be – dedicated to and invested in helping our children realize their potential,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “She makes sure every child she works with knows that they are loved, cared for, and have every opportunity for future success. I’m proud to recognize her contribution to educating future generations.”
Octavia Hamilton is an exceptional children’s teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
“The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is working to protect our environment and drinking water in western North Carolina by conserving land,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “I’m grateful to the organization for taking steps to protect our natural resources for decades to come, so we can all lead happy, healthy lives.”
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is an environmental nonprofit organization based in Asheville and serving the mountain areas of North Carolina and Tennessee.
The 2021 Dogwood Award recipients are:
Dr. Rasheeda Monroe, The Sister Circle, Cary
Dr. Netasha McLawhorn, The Sister Circle, Raleigh
Dr. Michele Benoit-Wilson, The Sister Circle, Raleigh
Dr. Tiffany Lowe-Payne, The Sister Circle, Wendell
Dr. Jacqueline Hicks, The Sister Circle, Zebulon
Dr. Nerissa M. Price, The Sister Circle, Raleigh
Lowe’s Home Improvement, Mooresville
President Deborah Dicks Maxwell, North Carolina NAACP, Wilmington
Dr. Kerianne Crockett, North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, ECU Brody School of Medicine, and Vidant Medical Center, Greenville
Kristie Puckett Williams, American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, Charlotte
Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Raleigh
Sheriff Quentin Miller, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Asheville
Officer Stephanie Collins, Fayetteville Police Department, Fayetteville
Ingram Bell, Gate City Coalition, Greensboro
Linda Combs, sexual assault Survivor and advocate, Fayetteville
Sue and Rod Lee, HeartWorks, Bayboro
Karen Prince, HeartWorks, Bayboro
Chief Chris Blue, Chapel Hill Police Department, Chapel Hill
District Attorney Matt Scott, Robeson County, Lumberton
Sen. Jim Burgin, District 12 (Harnett, Johnson, and Lee counties), Angier
Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch, Wilmington
Margaret D. Bordeaux, North Carolina Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, Wilmington
Major Elijah Bazemore, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham
Kevin Leonard, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, Apex
Sara LaVere, Brunswick County Board of Elections, Brunswick County
Rep. Dean Arp, District 69 (Union County), Monroe
Rep. Jason Saine, District 97 (Lincoln County), Lincolnton
Rep. Donny C. Lambeth, District 75 (Forsyth County), Winston-Salem
Rep. Jake Johnson, District 113 (Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties), Mill Springs
Michelle Ellis, Hunter Huss High School, Gastonia
Octavia Hamilton, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville
Dean Bagnoni, John F. Kennedy High School, Winston-Salem
Christopher Lane, Chapel Hill Police Department, Chapel Hill
Marcus Morris, Scotland Neck Police Department, Scotland Neck
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Asheville
Piedmont Land Conservancy, Greensboro
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