Annie Mildred Lowery Day; a one time town celebration of a former Davidson College employee and community activist.
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Annie Mildred Lowery Day; a one time town celebration of a former Davidson College employee and community activist.
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Annie Mildred Lowery, a lifelong and intergenerational resident of Davidson, had the foundational role in the formation of the “Davidson Town Day” community initiative to clean public spaces and enjoy food, culture, and community. In more recent years it has included cooperation with various nonprofit organizations.
In her role as president of the Piedmont Development Club (a position she held for a decade, as well as a myriad of other positions on community organizations, both formally and informally recognized), Annie Mildred Lowery recognized that the town needed cleaning and some tender, loving care. The club decided to host a party on Main Street after trash was picked up by residents/community members, beginning as a grassroots community effort of service. The following year, the party was hosted on the Town Green with the town’s political support (as opposed to the initial clean-up day, which had its party in an empty lot off of Griffith Street). However, the first true Town Day was Mildred’s efforts in 1970, though the act of beautification and community clean-up had been exemplified to Annie by her mother throughout her life.
“Davidson Town Day” is recognized by the town both officially and culturally, and is a point of pride for the community. The Town Day Proclamation in 1971 brought forth the idea (following the event held the year before) and the mayor of Davidson at the time signed off on the document. A week before the first “official” town day on May 15, 1971, the town launched an initial “clean up week.” Mayor Tom Sadler specifically mentions Lowery as an “instrumental member of the council” that pushed for this consistent tradition of beautification and community building/care. Annie Mildred Lowery’s contributions are the reason for this initiative’s existence and sustainment.
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Town of Davidson
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May 15, 1971
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Town of Davidson
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Davidson Town Green
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May 15, 1971
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Town of Davidson
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