Photo by Jackie Helvey

Like many of our WCHL Hometown Heroes, this week’s hero is known for her humble and understated nature. Florence Peacock has been recognized for her quiet cultural contributions to the Chapel Hill community.

“Florence is special because of her humility and her generosity,” said Nerys Levy, who nominated Peacock. “She has contributed so much to our community quietly … She is constantly looking for people to support and to further in their arts careers.”

A staunch supporter of Carolina Performing Arts, the North Carolina Opera and the North Carolina Symphony, Peacock also takes the time to seek out and support up-and-coming artists who are struggling to get their careers off the ground. Ever a believer in the personal touch, Peacock’s support of the arts begins and ends with consideration for people at all levels of skill and places in their pursuit of the arts.

A music teacher and classically trainer vocalist who studied at Yale, Peacock makes use of her own talents to help others move theirs forward.

“Without her major support … our state and community would be culturally poorer,” said Levy.

Peacock’s support of her community goes beyond cultural contributions, however. She is also involved in Preservation Chapel Hill, an organization that works towards the keeping historical sites and landmarks intact, as well as local anti-hunger organizations and maternity facilities for women in prisons.

Called “wonderful and inspiring” alongside “strong and tough,” Peacock is the sort of person who helps to organize Community Dinner, a local event that reaches across economic, racial, religious, and ethnic divides to bring people together to share a meal. The Community Dinner, now in its twentieth year, makes good on its slogan: “Sit down with a stranger, leave with a friend.”

“She’s very positive, she always looks for the good side of doing something,” said Levy. That positive attitude and her community-based mindset is what makes Florence Peacock our Hometown Hero.

Related Stories
‹
Hometown Hero: Vimala Rajendron
Winning Chapel Hill Magazine’s “Best Indian Food in Chapel Hill” award in 2012 and consistently placing as a finalist in “Best of” and “Reader’s Choice” polls in Indy Week’s “Best of the Triangle” awards isn’t the only thing that’s made Vimala’s Curryblossom Café notable here in Chapel Hill. The owner, Vimala Rajendron, garners just as […]
Hometown Hero: Leah Tilden
This week’s Hometown Hero, Leah Tilden, is a Level II EMS instructor and UNC alumnus with a degree in psychology and a graduate certificate in community preparedness/disaster management. “It’s an exciting time in EMS,” said Tilden. “Because community paramedicine is becoming a really big thing. We’ve realized that EMS providers shouldn’t just be taking people […]
Hometown Hero Luncheon 2017
Hometown Heroes: Laurie Paolicelli
Laurie Paolicelli has served as the executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau for 11 years. Deb Stroman, who nominated Paolicelli for this week’s Hometown Hero award, says that Paolicelli “exudes energy, creativity and kindness.” As the executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau, Paolicelli has worked to make a difference […]
Hometown Hero: Jackie Carden
This week’s Hometown Hero is an experienced officer with the Chapel Hill Police Department, a captain who has extensive experience in public safety disciplines, and a lifelong Tar Heel and UNC alumnus. Jackie Carden has served the Chapel Hill community actively since 1990, working both behind the scenes and in the field. “Jackie is one […]
Hometown Hero - Maggie West
This week’s Hometown Hero is Maggie West, a UNC alumnus and engaged member of the community. West co-founded the Community Empowerment Fund in 2009 while she was a student at UNC as a sustainable way to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Orange and Durham County. “We work with people […]
Hometown Hero: Cresha Cianciolo
This week’s Hometown Hero is Cresha Cianciolo, a frequent volunteer and organizer for many programs instilling positive change in our community.   As a founding volunteer for annual fundraiser “Opening Doors,” benefitting the Community Home Trust, Cianciolo has helped raise the capital to help push for local affordable housing. She has also volunteered with the […]
Hometown Hero: Tami Pfeifer
Boomerangs return when thrown properly, and the Boomerang program helps kids suspended from school return in better shape than they were before. This week’s Hometown Hero is Tami Pfeifer, the executive director of Boomerang. With a background in social work and helping youth achieve their full potential, Pfeifer is “enthusiastic, dynamic, full of ideas and […]
Hometown Hero: Marjorie Land
This week’s Hometown Hero is Marjorie Land, a caring woman and extraordinarily active member of her community. Called a “precious jewel” by Mae McLendon, who nominated her for this week’s Hometown Hero, Land is retired with 41 years of nursing experience. Land has made use of her wealth of experiential knowledge to help those around […]
Hometown Hero: Richard Tackaberry
Chartered in 1956, the Orange County Historical Museum stands as a collection of domestic goods, family heirlooms, and historically significant artifacts from the Orange County area. Run by the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County, the purpose of the society and the museum was described in a letter from Mrs. Marion B. Roberts, Secretary […]
›