HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 07-28-2026; 8-d - Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring the Late Maggie Ada Latta Lee 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: July 28, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-d
SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring the Late Maggie Ada Latta Lee
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation County Manager's Office, 919-245-2300
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing and honoring the late Maggie Ada Latta Lee
for her dedication and service on behalf of her family, country, and county.
BACKGROUND: Maggie Ada Latta Lee was born on April 18, 1919, the fourth child of Richard
Latta and Novella Torain's seven children, and lived in Little River Township north of Hillsborough.
Ms. Lee graduated from Hillside High School, as well as from North Carolina Central University,
and subsequently enlisted on January 20, 1943 as an Aviation Cadet at Fort Butner, North
Carolina.
Ms. Lee served in World War II as a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and was one of
25 black women from North Carolina assigned to the famed 6888th Central Postal Directory
Battalion.
Following the war, Ms. Lee graduated with a Master's Degree from the Atlanta University School
of Social Work and worked in multiple US cities as a professional social worker and clinical social
worker.
Maggie Ada Latta Lee passed away on December 19, 1995, and was laid to rest at Mount Zion
AME Church Cemetery in Cedar Grove Township in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• VISION STATEMENT — We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together
to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE — PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
We build meaningful relationships and connections that allow us to create holistic and
integrated systems of support for all.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation recognizing and honoring the late Maggie Ada Latta Lee for her
dedication and service on behalf of her family, country, and county.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING
THE LATE MAGGIE ADA LATTA LEE
WHEREAS, Maggie Ada Latta Lee was born on April 18, 1919, the fourth child of Richard
Latta and Novella Torain's seven children, and lived in Little River Township north of
Hillsborough; and
WHEREAS, as a young woman, Ms. Lee graduated from Hillside High School, as well as
from North Carolina Central University in 1941; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lee enlisted on January 20, 1943 as an Aviation Cadet at Fort Butner,
North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lee served in World War II as a member of the Women's Army Corps
(WAC)and was one of 25 black women from North Carolina assigned to the famed 6888th
Central Postal Directory Battalion; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lee ultimately retired with the rank of Technical Sergeant 4 (T4); and on
November 30, 2018, an engraved monument was dedicated to the 6888th in Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas bearing Ms. Lee's name along with all those who served with her;
and
WHEREAS, following the war, Ms. Lee continued her education and graduated with a
Master's Degree from the Atlanta University School of Social Work; and
WHEREAS, in her professional life, Ms. Lee served as a professional social worker in
Roanoke, Virginia, Philadelphia, and Detroit, and a clinical social worker in Burlington,
NC, and took active roles in the National Association of Social Workers, the International
Association of Social Workers, the Family Services Association of America, and the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lee's community service included a multitude of organizations including
the League of Women Voters, the Community Welfare Council Board of Trustees, and
the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Bronson Methodist Hospital Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Maggie Ada Latta Lee passed away on December 19, 1995, and was laid to
rest at Mount Zion AME Church Cemetery in Cedar Grove Township in Orange County;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
recognize and honor the late Maggie Ada Latta Lee for her dedication and service on
behalf of her family, country, and county, and encourage the residents of Orange County
to join with us in commemorating her contributions to our nation.
This the 28th Day of July, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners