Community spirit marches on

By Pat Lawrence
Highland County Democratic Party

At their annual fall dinner last week, Highland County Democrats honored two outstanding volunteers, Carolyn Goins and Charlotte Harbut, with the newly established Miss Elsie Young Warrior Award.

Party chairman Dinah Phillips said, “The two daughters of Elsie Young are the natural choice for this award. Miss Elsie was a warrior for good all her life, and Carolyn and Charlotte have continued the family tradition with their unfailing commitment to the community and Democratic values. Elsie was a person who just got things done. 

"Carolyn and Charlotte are just like that. They can be counted on, not just to show up, but to lead and complete any project they undertake, whether it’s serving on committees, passing petitions, organizing dinners for the less fortunate or volunteering at the Fair. They always step up and do the work. They exemplify all the qualities that made Miss Elsie so loved.”

Elsie Young was one of the famous Marching Mothers, one of the longest, sustained community protest actions for civil rights, a two-year protest of the local school district by Hillsboro’s Black community. Starting in the fall of 1954, four months after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed school segregation, mothers and their children marched a mile to the white school to seek admission, only to be turned away every day.

“That commitment may have started for Elsie with the Mother’s March but it lasted all her life,” Phillips said.

Elsie Young was 105 when she died.

Her daughter, Carolyn Goins, was one of the children who made that daily walk. “I was about six but it’s not something you forget.” 

Accepting the award, Goins shared some memories of her mother. 

“She was a life-long Democrat. When she finally had to give up driving, we promised to take her anywhere she wanted to go, but we had no idea what would entail. We took her all over the state to the meetings, functions and events that she wanted to attend. We were exhausted but she never stopped or slowed down. She would have been proud and over the top to see us honored for carrying on her legacy. She was always happy when her children or family were recognized. Everyone called her Mom.”

Charlotte Harbut, who is described by her older sister as, “the quiet storm” of the two, wasn’t quite present for the Mother’s March. 

“I was there, I just wasn’t born yet.” Harbut said, “Mom helped raise a community of kids while she raised us, and got us acclimated to public service. We often traveled with her and are glad we could share her life. She was almost certainly a Democrat for more years than anyone in the area and we’re happy to be honored with the award that carries her name.”

Committee member Linda Griffith, who has worked many times with the sisters over the years, offered her summation of the honor. “These two are the real legacy of Elsie Young."