By Maggie Blackwell
mblackwell@salisburypost.com
When local Trinity Presbyterian Church member Constance Johnson traveled to Louisville, Ky., this year to attend the national conference for Presbyterian Women, she was awestruck to see her fellow church member Dr. Catrelia Hunter’s face displayed on the giant screen.
Hunter has served as the moderator for Presbyterian Women for the past three years. The moderator serves as the leader for the 300,000 women in the denomination.
Johnson began to consider her fellow church member in a new light. She had served as a personal mentor; could her life serve to inspire others, too? Thus was born the upcoming Divinity & Distinction Banquet, which honors Hunter. Future banquets will recognize other women who are leaders in their churches and their communities.
Hunter has served on the board of Downtown Salisbury, Inc., United Way of Rowan County, Salisbury Symphony board, Robertson Family Foundation, Rowan Rotary Club, AAUW Goldman Scholarship Foundation, past chair of Salisbury Rowan Human Relations Council, past vice president for Allocations of Rowan County, member of board of directors of Rowan Regional Medical Center, American Red Cross, Rowan Helping Ministries and the Community Care Clinic. She served as acting president of Livingstone College from 2004 to 2006.
As moderator for Presbyterian Women, she traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; helped build three Habitat houses in New Orleans; and traveled to about half the states in the United States.
Hunter speaks with passion of each area of service. Her communication is direct and quick. She is intensely focused as she traces the lines of service where one opportunity leads to another.
“I will always treasure this organization in my heart,” Hunter says. “The mission is justice, peace and an inclusive and caring community. It has made a difference in people’s lives around the world. Presbyterian Women have supported all kinds of marvelous things, including hunger programs, hospitals, schools, and programs to fight domestic violence.”
“Race relations are one of the most critical issues facing our society,” Hunter says. “We’ve tried to develop programs to help build bridges between races. The denomination has developed materials to train trainers and fight prejudice. There is a need.”
She continues. “We have to understand to make progress. In order to understand, we have to communicate. To communicate, we have to have relationships with each other.”
She is still involved in an ex-officio status, as the past moderator.
Hunter takes a moment to reflect on how her upbringing led to her success as an adult. She’s one of five children, with one older brother and four younger sisters. Her mother valued education and taught her children from a young age. All their toys were educational, and they knew how to read before entering school. Both parents were actively involved in the PTA. Her maiden name is Steele, and the Steele sisters had a reputation for being smart.
She grew up in western Rowan county, “on the outskirts of Barber Junction.” Her grandfather was a farmer, and the children had several chores. “We cherished some chores, and avoided the rest.” She dearly loved milking the cows and enjoyed eating food fresh from the garden.
Hunter was always an excellent student. She remembers her class took two trips to Washington, D.C., once in eighth grade, and once in high school. She attended R. A. Clement High School, and is still involved in reunions.
She attended Barber-Scotia College, where she earned her degree in business education. She worked at the college for several years after graduation, then went to the University of Illinois for her master’s degree in business administration.
Hunter enjoyed all 29 years of her career at Livingstone. She describes how her sphere of influence started smaller when she started in Planning and Research, and grew wider as she became director of that department, then became director of Institutional Advancement, working more with the community.
In similar manner, she traces her first few years with the United Way, and the many boards on which she has served.
“I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve at Livingstone College, Barber-Scotia College, and the Presbyterian Women. Now a new generation of young women is coming up, and the opportunities for them are unlimited! It’s so important to encourage our young women to serve, and for the more seasoned women to lead them.”
Hunter lists some of the women she has looked up to, including leaders at Barber-Scotia College, a past moderator for Presbyterian Women, and several locals, includ-