2025 CRD Community Champion Award
Congratulation to Elsie Bowens from the Drake Community for being awarded the 2025 CRD Community Champion. Mrs. Bowens was recognized for her outstanding service in September at the Community and Rural Development (CRD) Council's Annual Banquet. The banquet featured special guest speaker Judge Alicia Slaughter, District 8 Court Judge.Over the years, the CRD Council have recognized community leaders who have demonstrated outstanding community leadership and achievement for their community, and Nash County as a whole at their banquet. They also recognize the work of each individual Nash county community represented in the CRD Council including:
- Drake Community Development
- Nashville Willing Workers
- Peachtree Community Development
This year’s awardee, Elsie Bowens is the essence of a true community champion. She is one of the founding members of the Nash CRD Council, working with CRD pioneers, Frank Wright, Margaret Wade, and John Gibson to establish and build the program here in Nash County beginning over 50 years ago. Mrs. Bowens is a past President of the CRD Council, where she served for 15 years in that capacity.
She is a faithful member of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church where she has served in various auxiliaries; one close to her heart being past President of the Mission Department. She has represented as a delegate for the General Baptist State Convention on numerous occasions. She is also a Past President of the Helping Hand Club, which provides supports to families after the loss of a loved one. She truly has a heart for helping others. She loves reading God’s word and living a life that is pleasing unto the Lord.
Mrs. Bowens has always been passionate about building up our community. She was instrumental in teaching "Community Voices", which is a NC A&T State University curriculum, used statewide to help people improve their community. Building the capacity of communities have always been a goal for Mrs. Bowens.
She loves to cook, sew, and is a lifelong learner who has taken numerous classes,
on canning, sewing, furniture repair and restoration just to name a few. She has
worked tirelessly alongside her husband for 56 years in making Drake Community
a wonderful place to reside. She is devoted to God her family, church, and her community. She exemplifies a beautiful servant’s heart.
More information on the Nash County Community and Rural Development (CRD) Council.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
