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AHOSKIE – The Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Ahoskie Inn.

The guest speaker will be Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina’s Secretary of State.

The banquet gets underway at 5 p.m. with a social hour and auction. Dinner follows at 6 p.m.

Individual tickets are $35 per person.

Sponsorships are available at the following levels:

Platinum ($1,500) – 8 tickets, banner, company name in the banquet program and on a board near the stage, and a table tent.

Gold ($1,000) – 4 tickets, banner, and company name in the banquet program.

Silver ($500) – 2 tickets, and company name in the banquet program.

All funds are payable to the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce. Checks or cash is accepted.

To purchase individual tickets or to learn more about becoming a sponsor, contact the Chamber office at 252-332-2042.

In 1996, Marshall became the first woman ever elected to a statewide, executive branch office in North Carolina.

Secretary Marshall was a member of the NC State Senate before rising to statewide office. She holds a B.S. in Home Economics from the University of Maryland and a law degree from Campbell University. She has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Campbell University, Lees-McRae College, Meredith College and the Republic of Moldova Testemitanu State University of Medicine.

Her work experiences include teaching Home Economics in the public school and community college systems, co-ownership of a book and gift store, establishing an interior decorating business, and the private practice of law.

Secretary Marshall has been very active in many civic groups in the areas of child welfare, women’s issues, and agriculture and small town economic development.

Since becoming Secretary of State, she has received numerous state and national awards for leadership in technology, government innovation, and women’s leadership.