[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF CAROLYN INGRAM THORNTON

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2014

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with profound grief that I 
rise to commemorate the life of Carolyn Ingram Thornton, a great 
leader, public servant and phenomenal woman who will be greatly missed 
in her home community of Durham, North Carolina.
  Carolyn Thornton reserved her place in history as the first African 
American woman to serve on the Durham City Council in 1978. She also 
was the first African American female probation officer in the State of 
North Carolina. In 1968, Mrs. Thornton was appointed as the Chief 
Psychiatric Social Worker at the Cooperative School for Pregnant Girls. 
In addition to these accomplishments, she served as the director of 
Social Work and Mental Health at historic Lincoln Community Health 
Center for 31 years.
  During the course of her tenure, the citizens of Durham had the 
unique opportunity to watch Mrs. Thornton successfully embark on 
building a brighter future for women, children, and mentally disabled 
citizens in her community.
  As a native of Durham County and due to her honorable contributions 
to Durham, Mrs. Thornton will now and forever be a daughter of Durham. 
As a member and former President of the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mrs. Thornton regularly supported community 
volunteering and fundraising initiatives. She also served as President 
of the Durham Chapter of the Links, Inc.
  Mrs. Thornton was born in Durham to Charles J. and Bernice H. Ingram. 
After graduating from Hillside High School with honors, Mrs. Thornton 
earned Bachelors' degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Bennett 
College in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1957. Mrs. Thornton also 
earned a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  To cherish her memory, Mrs. Thornton is survived by two sisters, 
Audrey Ingram Johnson and Dr. E. Lavonia Ingram Allison; one sister-in-
law, Carolyn Thornton Walker, and three children, Susan Kane, Gail 
Monje Thornton, and Rick Thornton.
  Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Ingram Thornton was a loving mother, sister, 
friend and public servant and her passing will surely be felt by all of 
those whose lives she touched. She will forever be missed but never 
forgotten in the city of Durham and her by friends and family across 
the State and Nation.

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