Who has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine?

Retired Raleigh businessman Tom Walter would like to know, but so far no one in state government can help him.

Walter received the state award in 1991 from Gov. Jim Martin. A few years ago, he wondered who else had received it, but Gov. Mike Easley's office told him they had no idea.

"They said maybe it's in a warehouse in a building somewhere, but we don't know," he said.

The award was created in 1965 to honor special achievements by North Carolinians. Past recipients include Maya Angelou, Billy Graham and Michael Jordan. And one rough estimate is that 7,000 people have received the award.

Walter's unofficial registry includes fewer than a hundred names he gleaned from talking to friends and searching obituaries. He's looking for people who have received the order or can help in his search for information.

He can be reached at walterfinancial@yahoo.com, or you can post a note below.

Update: You can nominate yourself or a friend for the Order with this form.

A handful of Tar Heels are in the National Women's Hall of Fame.

As the state prepares to swear in its first female governor and a female majority on the Council of State, Dome is taking a look at some other milestones for women in the state.

Started in 1969 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the nonprofit hall of fame honors distinguished American women in a number of fields, including at least eight with North Carolina ties.

It includes such North Carolina notables as civil rights activist Ella Baker, a major force in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee; poet Maya Angelou, a professor at Wake Forest University; and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a two-time Cabinet member and the first female senator in the state.

Duke University is well represented on the list. Along with Dole, lesbian activist Charlotte Bunch and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, two Duke alums; former president Nan Keohane; and one-time professor Gertrude Elion were also inducted.

The first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States, Elizabeth Blackwell, also briefly studied in North Carolina in the 19th century.

Maya Angelou will introduce Michelle Obama today.

The noted poet will appear at a 3 p.m. rally at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro to introduce the wife of the Democratic presidential candidate's wife.

A resident of Winston-Salem, Angelou was a supporter of Obama's primary opponent, Hillary Clinton. She hosted a "conversation" with Clinton at Wake Forest University and appeared in a TV ad for Clinton that aired in North Carolina.

She now backs Obama.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's latest ad in North Carolina features poet Maya Angelou.

Hillary Clinton hosts a 'conversation' with and Dr. Maya Angelou at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. (Staff video by Travis Long)

Hillary Clinton and Maya Angelou will have a conversation Friday.

The Democratic presidential candidate and the poet will hold an event in Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.

Doors open at 4 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. 

Hillary Clinton's campaign released the names of its North Carolina steering committee, ranging from poet Maya Angelou to Hugh Shelton, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The list was announced at a teleconference held by Tom Hendrickson, a former state Democratic chariman; former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde, and the Rev. Brenda Stevenson of Charlotte.

"I know Hillary has the diplomatic skills," said Hyde, who was appointed ambassador to Barbados by President Clinton. "She has the knowledge. She has traveled around the world. I beleive she can help mend some of the problems we have in the world."

The endorsements include many people long associated with the moderate, pro-business wing of the state Democratic Party and with Govs. Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford.

Clarification: Hunt is not on the steering committee, but some of his associates are.

More names after the jump.

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Former President Bill Clinton will meet with key supporters later today at a reception at the Raleigh home of former Ambassador Jeannette Hyde.

“It’s actually for people willing to endorse Hillary Clinton or be on the statewide steering committee,” Hyde told Rob Christensen. “It’s kind of a briefing on the campaign and a thank you.”

Clinton will attend the private event after first appearing at public events in Charlotte and Cary.

Helping put the event together is former state Democratic chairman Tom Hendrickson, a Raleigh businessman. Among those expected to attend are former state Democratic chairwoman Barbara Allen, and Jane Patterson, a former secretary of administration.

Among the North Carolinians expected to endorse Clinton — although not attending tonight’s event — are retired Charlotte bank executive Hugh McColl; Hugh Shelton, the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; and poet Maya Angelou, according to Hyde.