Spotlight on Speaker: Council Member Melinda Lowrance
- dalton buchanan
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Community Dedication
We are proud to welcome Council Member Melinda Lowrance as a featured speaker at the 2025 Henderson County Democratic Party Convention. A fourth-generation Hendersonville native, Melinda’s lifelong commitment to community leadership and public service is nothing short of inspiring.
Melinda was born in 1951 to Alexander and Sarah Louise Gash Pilgrim, the oldest of four sisters. In 2022, she and her husband Jim received a historical landmark designation for the Landina Guest House, a property that shares the land with their family home. Listed in the 1960 edition of the Negro Motorist Green-Book, the Landina Guest House welcomed Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, offering “Rooms with Private Bath — Meals That Satisfy.” This history reflects a deep-rooted legacy of hospitality, resilience, and service to the Black community in Hendersonville.
Over the years, Melinda has become a cornerstone of civic leadership in our area. She has served on the Hendersonville Board of Adjustment since 1998, was one of the first appointees to the City’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Henderson County Social Services Board. Her leadership is guided by a belief in inclusion, empowerment, and giving back.
Melinda also leads beyond government roles. She is the President of the Henderson County NAACP, where she helped launch the “Grow Our Own Educators” scholarship program alongside the Henderson County Education Foundation. This program increases opportunities for students of color to pursue teaching careers right here in their home community.
Her community involvement is vast. Melinda has operated Mop Head Cleaning Service for 35 years, and is a Life Member of the Star Lite Chapter #510 Order of the Eastern Star. She is a dedicated leader in her church, serving as Pastor Steward and Chairwoman of the Trustee Board for St. Paul Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church, and holds leadership roles in the Hendersonville District Lay Council and Blue Ridge Conference Lay Council.
In addition, she is an active member of the Rotary E-Club of Global Trekkers and the League of Women Voters, continually advocating for progress, service, and community building.
Melinda Lowrance is a shining example of what it means to serve with purpose, compassion, and a deep love for her hometown. We are honored to have her with us.
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