From her early life as a farm girl in rural Maryland to her becoming the first woman in history ever elected to statewide executive office in North Carolina, Elaine Folk Marshall has made 4-H a large part of her life. Entering her fifth term of office in 2013, Secretary of State Marshall is North Carolina’ top regulator for investor protection, business incorporations, charity and Notary Public regulations, among other duties. Her career has included being State Senator, teacher in the public school and community college systems, business owner, and private practice attorney. Secretary Marshall has received many major state and national awards for leadership in technology, government innovation, and women’ leadership.
In addition to her 4-H honors, Secretary Marshall has won the North Carolina Association of Educators Women’ Equality Award, been inducted into the Honor Society of Agriculture at N.C. State University, was named one of ” 50 Most Influential People in Notarization in the Last 50 Years” by the National Notary Association. Secretary Marshall was even awarded an official ” Record” by the Recording Industry Association of America for her law enforcement work to protect trademarked goods. She has received the highest civilian honor from the country of Moldova (a former Soviet state) for her leadership in the NC-Moldova Partnership. Secretary Marshall holds four honorary doctorate degrees, including one from Moldova.
