40th Anniversary Celebration

Gene Nichol and Senator Terry Van Duyn. (Jesse Kitt photo)

More than 400 people came out to celebrate Pisgah Legal Services’ (PLS)’ 40th Anniversary celebration on April 11 at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. See a full photo gallery of the evening by Jesse Kitt here.

Senator Terry Van Duyn and PLS Executive Director Jim Barrett. (Jesse Kitt photo)

Senator Terry Van Duyn presented PLS Executive Director Jim Barrett with North Carolina’s governor’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award (shown below). This honor is given to individuals with a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.

Also honored were outstanding volunteers and supporters including: Pat Smith – The Terry Van Duyn Community Volunteer Award; James Ellis – The Roy W. Davis, Jr. Award; Sarah Corley – The Karl H. Straus Board Member Emeritus Award; and The Oliver Family – The Pisgah Legal Services Philanthropy Award.

Gene R. Nichol, the Boyd Tinsley Distinguished Professor of Law at the UNC School of Law, inspired the crowd with a moving speech saying, “We’re not interested in politics, we’re interested in people. We say we’re in this together. We ARE our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers. We dream bigger dreams, higher goals. We don’t just mouth phrases like ‘justice for all.’ We mean to demand them, to live ‘em out.”