I did a book report presentation on Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court justice, in my sixth grade social studies class. (Ruth Bader Ginsburg was only six years into her appointment, so, alas, the school library didn’t have a book on her. Later, of course, the octogenarian famous for not only her judicial mind but also her stalwart fitness routines would inspire shelves worth of books and cement herself as a bespectacled badass and pop culture legend.)
Fast forward two decades to early April, and the number of women who’ve sat on the high court increased to a total of six with the confirmation of the first Black woman to serve, Ketanji Brown Jackson. One day, I expect there will be books on Ketanji in school libraries across the country.
The world of sports reached a major milestone two days later when Rachel Balkovec, the first woman to manage an MLB- affiliated team, debuted with a win for her New York Yankees- affiliated Tampa Tarpons. (She also made history in 2019 as the first female minor league hitting coach.) “If I choose not to do [the hard work] and I have the opportunity, then it’s disrespectful to other women who come behind me,” she said. These “firsts” are cause for celebration, to be sure, but I’m looking forward to the second (like RBG!) and the third woman and so on, till it becomes the norm.
Closer to home, our community is chock-full of incredible leaders. So many, in fact, that it’s a challenge to select just a few each year to feature on these pages. We strive to highlight women from all different backgrounds and stages in their careers who reflect the towns we represent. Read on to learn about this year’s cohort of 11 women – some who are champions of affordable housing and history while others are teaching the next generation of doctors – starting on page 54. As always, I invite you to send me an email with someone who should be considered for future issues. – Jessica Stringer, editor
THE 9TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S ISSUE
56 Dr. Chris G. Adigun
Board-Certified Dermatologist and Owner, Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
58 Danita Mason-Hogans
Local Historian and Public Memory Specialist; Founder and President of Bridging the Gap
60 Jennifer Player
President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
62 Dr. Shekinah Elmore
Radiation Oncologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology at UNC School of Medicine
64 Rebecca Johnson
Senior Vice President of Interior Design and Finishes, Will Johnson Building Company
66 Danielle de la Rosa-White
Co-owner & Chief Chocolate Officer, Chocolatay Confections
68 Missy Julian-Fox
Author and Founder of Heart of the Hill Tours
70 Dr. Alice Chuang
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, UNC School of Medicine
72 Katie Murray
Director, Orange County Arts Commission
74 Jackie Thompson
Human Services Coordinator, Town of Chapel Hill
76 Kym Hunter
Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center
FEATURES
48 Still a GDTBATH
The unforgettable victory over Duke in New Orleans helped ease the pain of the abrupt end to March Madness
50 Curtain Call
Dancers reunited in a tribute to tap legend Gene Medler at The ArtsCenter
78 Their Happy Place
Pops of color and art make this Chapel Hill house a cheerful home for the Zerden family
DEPARTMENTS
10 About Town
Events not to miss
22 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns …
28 What We’re Eating
News from our restaurant community, plus a dish we love
30 Carolina on Our Mind
Volunteers cultivate the Carolina Community Garden, providing produce to 400 local families
WEDDINGS
103 Claris & Sawaia
104 Jacobs & Ragan
PEOPLE & PLACES
14 Chamber’s Annual Meeting
16 Rivalry Roundup 4 Pediatric Rehab
18 100 Years of UNC Press
20 Habitat for Humanity of Orange County’s Community Breakfast
SPONSORED CONTENT
34 The Big Give
Our local nonprofits, howthey support the community and how you can get involved
