NSDAR honors Florence Walker with history award

ROCKINGHAM — The General Henry William Harrington Chapter, NSDAR, proudly honored the late Florence Walker with the prestigious Women in American History Award. This award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to their communities, professions, or fields of study, and who have helped shape American history through their dedication and service. Florence Walker exemplified these qualities through her lifelong commitment to nursing and community service. Her daughter, Roberta Butler, graciously accepted the award on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

Florence Walker, a registered nurse, was renowned for her exceptional compassion and dedication to her profession. Doctors frequently requested her by name, recognizing her outstanding care and kindness. Even during her brief hospital stay, Florence remained alert, concerned for others, and retained her humor and dignity. Her determination to live was evident, and she was deeply loved and respected by friends of all ages. Florence’s legacy will live on, and she will be greatly missed.

At 94, Florence was one of the oldest independently registered nurses in North Carolina. She began her nursing journey at Hamlet Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1941. Florence quickly passed the Board of Exams with honors and became an active member of the North Carolina State Nurses Association and the N.C. Board of Nursing in District 12. She served on the Board of Directors and chaired numerous committees from 1941 to 1976. During World War II, Florence volunteered for the Red Cross, receiving her pin in 1959, and remained active in the Red Cross Blood Bank until 2000.

Florence’s career spanned various roles, including private duty nurse, night supervisor at Hamlet Hospital, and industrial nurse at Safie Manufacturing Co. She was instrumental in founding the Hamlet Hospital Alumni Association and served as its first president. Florence’s dedication extended to her community, where she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Hamlet and various local organizations.

Roberta Butler continues her mother’s legacy of service and love for genealogy as a longtime member of the General Henry William Harrington Chapter, DAR. The chapter’s mission of promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and supporting education aligns with Florence’s lifelong commitment to service.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCountyDAR/ or contact https://genhenrywharrington.ncdar.org/