The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Sandra Day O'Connor helps honor Bonnie McElveen-Hunter at Annual Luncheon

The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, discussed her long friendship with Greensboro philanthropist Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and presented her with The Community Foundation’s highest award at the Foundation’s Annual Luncheon on March 8.
 
McElveen-Hunter is the founder and chief executive officer of Pace Communications in Greensboro, chair of the American Red Cross and former ambassador to the Republic of Finland. She also is a longtime philanthropist and supporter of The Community Foundation.
 
“Bonnie is just magic,” Justice O’Connor said and then proceeded to innumerate just some of McElveen-Hunter’s many achievements. She also touched on the importance of community foundations, noting that she is actively involved with the one in her permanent residence of Phoenix, Ariz.
 
The Foundation presented McElveen-Hunter with its highest honor, the Thornton H. Brooks Leadership Award, which is given to an individual who embodies the spirit of quiet giving that was a hallmark of Brooks, a founder of The Community Foundation.
 
“Like Thornton, Bonnie has given back to her community in substantial ways,” said Louise Brady, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors. “And although her philanthropic endeavors and volunteerism have taken her to national and international levels of prominence, she has never forgotten her community, Greensboro.”
 
Justice O’Connor was introduced by one of her former Supreme Court law clerks, Julia Ambrose, now a partner with Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Annual Luncheon. Ambrose surprised her mentor with a special announcement – in agreeing to serve as the Presenting Sponsor, her law firm contributed $25,000 to the Foundation’s Women to Women Endowment to name Justice O’Connor a founding member.
 
Prior to the luncheon, Justice O’Connor, joined by McElveen-Hunter and Foundation President Walker Sanders, mingled with other founding members of Women to Women at a private coffee reception in her honor. The Women to Women Endowment, established in 2008, will provide high-impact grants in support of issues important to Greensboro-area women and families.
 
At the luncheon, with more than 500 in attendance, McElveen-Hunter discussed her views on philanthropy and the importance of women taking a leading role.
 
“You L.M.U – lift me up,” she said, adding she accepted the award on behalf of her family “and all of you” who also have helped make a positive difference.
 
Meanwhile, Richard “Skip” Moore, president of the Weaver Foundation, received the Calvin A. Michaels Community Service Award. Community Foundation President Walker Sanders noted the long, special interest in the new International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro by both the Weaver Foundation and Moore personally.
 
“Without Skip’s efforts on behalf of the museum, it is unlikely we would now have this new gem in downtown Greensboro,” Sanders said.

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