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 her in everything from house calls to involvement with local schools systems.

“Just about everything I did was putting me in contact with people who had health issues that I could help them with,” said Land. “I could point them in the right direction and help them to understand their medicines.”

Putting her nursing knowledge to good use as a member of the Institutional Review Board at UNC Hospitals, Land assisted in ensuring that research projects the University was planning to undertake would do no harm to the patients involved.

“I learned so much about how research is done and gained a great appreciation,” said Land. “I learned that they really are serious about what [the IRB] recommends to protect the patients … we learn what we need to about the medical treatments involved in order to protect the patients and ensure that they’re taken care of every step.”

In addition to her work in professional contexts, Land’s volunteer and community involvement includes former membership on the Orange County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Board, as well as a member of the Steward Board. In addition, Land is an active member of St. Paul AME Church, and performs as part of the Senior Choir. A member of St. Paul since 1960, Land credits involvement with the church for the strengthening of her community ties.

“St. Paul’s enhances me personally and socially … it’s a good place to be able to serve your community,” said Land. “All members of the church are technically missionaries, not just the ones who go abroad. We all have responsibilities in the local community.”

Marjorie Land is also a recipient of the Sarah Allen Award, named for the “mother of the AME church.” The award is given by the missionaries of the AME to honor people who work in their community and church, helping those who need and displaying qualities in line with a remarkable woman who helped to found the AME church, acted as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, established the Women’s Missionary Society, and led a life of selfless service.

“I’m not a person that looks for rewards, but I found myself smiling because of the joy [winning this award] gave me,” said Land. “It was reassuring to know that the things that mean so much to me can possibly mean much to other people. It felt reassuring that maybe I’m doing something right and something that matters. It’s a good feeling.”

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