A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF ANNIE BROWN KENNEDY, FORMER MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Whereas, Annie Brown was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 13, 1924, the oldest of four children of Reverend Mancy Brown and Mary Louise Sheats Brown; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy received a B.S. degree in economics from Spelman College in 1945 and a J.D. degree from Howard University School of Law in 1951; and
Whereas, in 1953, Annie Brown moved with her husband, Harold Kennedy, Jr., and twin sons to Winston‑Salem. In 1955, she joined her husband to establish one of the first husband‑wife law firms in the State. She focused her practice on criminal and civil litigation, employment, civil rights, and family law. Later, two of her sons joined the firm; and
Whereas, in 1976, Annie Brown Kennedy became the first African American woman chosen to serve as a presidential elector from North Carolina and, in 1979, the first African American woman to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly when she was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., to fill a vacant seat; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy served in the House of Representatives from 1983 through 1994, during which time she made significant contributions as a member of numerous committees, including Constitutional Amendments; Employment Security; Finance; Legislative and Local Redistricting; Rules and Operation of the House; University Board of Governors; and Water and Air Resources. She served as chair of the Committee on Courts and Justice; Governmental Ethics; Judiciary I; and Manufacturers and Labor; and as vice‑chair of the Committee on Judiciary II; Local Government No. II; Natural and Economic Resources; and University Board of Governors Nominating Committee; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy actively participated in many organizations, including the Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Bicentennial Commission, Board of Directors of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, Winston‑Salem Symphony Board of Directors, Altrusa Club of Winston‑Salem, League of Women Voters, United Way of Forsyth County, and the County Morehead Scholarship Selection Committee; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy served as the local Director of Southern National Bank; Director of the Winston‑Salem State University Foundation, Inc., Winston‑Salem Housing Foundation, Legal Aid Society of Forsyth County, and Forsyth County Tuberculosis Association; and as a member of the Advisory Board for the American Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greensboro and North Carolina Criminal Code Commission; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, Forsyth County Bar Association, Association of Women Attorneys, and Forsyth County Bar Association, of which she served as president; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy was awarded numerous honors for her achievements and contributions, including the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award in 2002, the American Bar Association's highest award given to a female lawyer in the United States; the Justice Award from the North Carolina Bar Association in 1992 for outstanding service to the profession and the public; the Founders Spirit Award from Spelman College in 1995 for distinguished service in Law and Politics; the Distinguished Alumni Award in Law and Politics from Howard University in 1993; and the Distinguished Leadership Award from North Carolina A&T State University in 1988. She was the first African American attorney to be inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association's General Practice Section Hall of Fame in 1996; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Winston‑Salem, where she served for 18 years on the Board of Trustees; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy was predeceased by her husband, Harold Kennedy, Jr., who served in the House of Representatives during the 1977 Session of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, Annie Brown Kennedy died on January 17, 2023, at the age of 98, leaving to mourn her memory, her sons, Harold Kennedy, III (Claudia), Harvey Kennedy (Pat), and Michael Kennedy; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Annie Brown Kennedy, former member of the House of Representatives and groundbreaking attorney, and expresses its appreciation for her outstanding achievements and devoted public service to the City of Winston‑Salem, Forsyth County, and the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Annie Brown Kennedy for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall send a copy of this resolution to the family of Annie Brown Kennedy.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22nd day of June, 2023.

	s/	 Phil Berger
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives