Since 1933, the Junior League of Raleigh has been honored to host the Governor’s Inaugural Ball. This event, which celebrates the newly elected Governor and Council of State, helps the League continue its community service tradition by raising much-needed dollars to support projects and programs that benefit North Carolinians. Through this tradition, the Junior League of Raleigh can achieve its vision of strengthening communities by embracing diverse perspectives, building partnerships, and inspiring shared solutions.

The North Carolina Governor’s Inaugural Ball events are a fundraiser for the League and an opportunity to give back to our local community. The Inaugural Ball is a nonpartisan fundraiser—no candidate or political party benefits from the events. 

Past N.C. Governor’s Inaugural Balls hosted by the League and the Junior League of Raleigh chairs

1933-Governor John Christoph Ehringhaus

Lillian Long Sanders Pou

1937-Governor Clyde Roark Hoey

Julia Johnston Park

1941-Governor Joseph Melville Broughton

Mrs. Roland Mumford

1945-Governor Robert Gregg Cherry

Mr. Godrey Cheshire (American Legion)

1949-Governor William Kerr Scott

Frances Thompson

Mayne Albright

Mr. Godfrey Cheshire (American Legion)

1953-Governor William Bradley Umstead

Julia Jordan Haywood

Mr. Godfrey Cheshire (American Legion)

1957-Governor Luther Hartwell Hodges

Elizabeth “Sis” Cheshire

Mr. Armistead Maupin (American Legion)

1961-Governor Terry Sanford

Jane Bell

Mr. Clinton Beckwith (American Legion)

1965-Governor Daniel Killian Moore

Adele Smith

Nell Dodge

Mr. Clifton Beckwith (American Legion)

1969-Governor Robert W. Scott

Juliette Newcomb

Margery Johnson Jr.

Mr. James W. Dixon (American Legion)

Mr. Duma I. Bledsoe (American Legion)

1973-Governor James Eubert Holshouser Jr.

Jane Rogers

Flo Winston

1977-Governor James Baxter Hunt Jr.

Eve Williamson

Dr. Larry Wheeler (N.C. Symphony)

1981-Governor James Baxter Hunt Jr.

Mary Mac Bradshaw

Nell Dodge

Jane Pullen

Dr. Banks C. Talley Jr.

1985-Governor James Grubbs Martin

Carole Anders

Sara Jo Manning

1989-Governor James Grubs Martin

Clare Maddison

Adria Walker

1993-Governor James Baxter Hunt Jr.

Denise Evelyn Parks

Carol Wiggs

1997-Governor James Baxter Hunt Jr.

Kathy Teague

Jane Worley

Walker Mabe

Beth Betts

2001-Governor Michael F. Easley

Sarah Wesley Fox

Mary Brent Wright

Jennie Hayman

Danita Morgan

2005-Governor Michael F. Easley

Linda Brown Douglas

Graham Satisky

Nancy Andrews

Dorothea Bitler

2009-Governor Beverly E. Perdue

Rhonda Hubbard Beatty

Virginia Parker

Carol Wagoner

Pat Wilkins

2013-Governor Patrick L. McCrory

Shayla Bradshaw

Emily Funderburk

Liza Roney

Virginia Yopp

2017-Governor Roy Cooper 

Astra Barnes

Samantha Hatem

Melissa Hayes

Whitney Von-Hamm

2021-Governor Roy Cooper 

Rhonda Hubbard Beatty

Kristen Levine

Bernette Stivers

Kathryn West

2025-Governor Josh Stein

Rebecca Ayers

Graham Satisky

DeShelia Spann

Bernette Stivers

Agency names in parentheses indicate the Inaugural Ball chair (1945) and co-chairs for other years.