Thelma Porter Receives MLK Award
Mrs. Thelma Washington Porter, a leader in Asheville’s business and community service organizations for more than half a century, was honored Sunday, Feb. 2 with the presentation of the Beloved Community Award by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. The ceremony took place during regular church services at Calvary Presbyterian Church at 44 Circle Street in Asheville.
Rev. Patricia Bacon welcomed Mrs. Porter and members of the King Association to the congregation, and the award was presented by Mrs. Oralene Simmons, chair of the MLK Association, and Ms. Karen Cowan, chair of the Candlelight Awards committee.
The award was presented in recognition of, and gratitude for, Mrs. Porter’s contributions to the Asheville area since she and her late husband, James, first opened Porter’s Grocery more than half a century ago. The Porters were renowned for their delivery of food and other necessities for people in need.
In addition to her business and charitable activities, Mrs. Porter was the first African American Girl Scout leader in the region, leading countless girls on hikes and Scout outings and also helping lead them into productive lives.
Three additional awards were presented to other community leaders at the King Association’s annual Candlelight Service on Monday, Jan. 20, at Nazareth First Baptist Church, which Mrs. Porter was unable to attend. At that ceremony, Mrs. Lucille Flack Ray was honored with the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award for 2014; Dr. Don Locke received the Community Service Award, and Mr. Isaac Coleman was presented with the Arc of Justice Award.
