Greensboro Unveils New Statue Honoring Justice Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye

A sculpture honoring Justice Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye is now on display in Greensboro and memorializes the significant contributions by the power couple to North Carolina and the Greensboro community over the course of several decades.

Justice Frye has been a long-standing leader in many local non-profit, civic, academic, and professional organizations.  After graduating from NC A&T State University, Justice Frye served our country as a member of the Air Force, with tours to Korea and Japan.  After being denied the right to vote by way of the literacy test that was designed to prevent African Americans from participating in government decision-making, Justice Frye made a career change in an effort to abolish systemic racism across the state.

As a graduate of UNC School of Law, Justice Frye later became the first African-American elected to the North Carolina Supreme Court.  His leadership would then propel him to serve as chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1999.

Shirley Frye also graduated from NC A&T State University, and she has worked in various community and education positions in Greensboro for over five decades.  As a former educator and assistant vice chancellor for development and university relations at A&T, Ms. Frye has committed herself to leading individuals of all ages to success.  Ms. Frye retired as vice president of community relations at WFMY News 2 after winning an Emmy Ward, and she subsequently became the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

The footprint toward the growth and evolvement of our community and state by the Fryes is undeniably significant.    The statue that pays tribute to their legacy is located at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro and shows the couple holding hands, with plaques that highlight their contributions.