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14 <br /> November 10, 2020 <br /> 5608 Green Pine Road <br /> Cedar Grove, North Carolina 27231 <br /> As I reflect on my development as a woman of color, I remember a <br /> tall statue of a woman named Mrs. Bonnie B. Davis close by my <br /> side. Prior to my marriage in the early 1950's she was instrumental <br /> in teaching women the proper techniques for canning; because <br /> many of us had large gardens and needed other avenues for <br /> preserving our fruits and vegetables. She came to my house and <br /> demonstrated the use of a pressure canner while using fresh <br /> grown peaches from our orchard. I only knew the hot water bath <br /> method which was taught to me by my mother. Mrs. Davis <br /> emphasized to me that the pressure canner method would save <br /> time for other chores around the house. She was the first woman <br /> of color in Orange County to become a Home Demonstration Agent. <br /> Shortly thereafter, I married Willie Lawrence VanHook and moved <br /> away. I kept in touch with Mrs. Davis and was excited to hear that <br /> many other clubs had been organized; all prior to integration. In <br /> 1966, my husband and I built our house and Mrs. Davis and the <br /> County Farm Agent, Mr. Sherman Shelton guided us throughout <br /> the construction process for our home. With their combined <br /> knowledge and genuine concern for the progress of Blacks in the <br /> Northern Orange County they extended and shared their <br /> knowledge of the Farmers Home Administration which had been in <br /> existence for about six years. We applied for a loan and thereafter <br /> approved. Our home was built and an open house took place along <br /> with three other Black families that same day. <br /> The dynamic duo capitalized on the moment and introduced 4-H to <br /> the Northern Orange community. This was the first for Blacks in <br /> Northern Orange County. <br />