Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall is the first woman elected to a statewide executive branch office in North Carolina.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, she will address a Moore County Democratic Party fundraiser honoring two men who successfully broke a different kind of barrier here at home.

Marshall, who was first elected secretary of state in 1996, will deliver the keynote address at a luncheon event recognizing the lives of Felton Capel and the late Voit Gilmore.

She is also an announced candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Richard Burr.

Capel, a black businessman, and Gilmore, a white travel executive and scholar, were friends before they joined forces to break racial barriers in Southern Pines and Moore County almost 50 years ago. Gilmore died in 2005.

The luncheon, called "Celebrating Community Leadership," will be held at Little River Resort and Golf Club.

An attorney, Marshall began her political career with election to the state Senate, where she was serving prior to her ascent to the N.C. Department of State.

Since election as secretary of state, she has modernized the office by reducing red tape and ushered the department into the technological age. The result makes it easier to do business in North Carolina, with many services available by Internet.

She has cracked down on corrupt financial institutions and scam artists and prosecuted counterfeiters and producers of bootleg goods. Marshall has also led an effort to reform the state's lobbying laws.

Marshall is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a degree in home economics. She earned her law degree at Campbell University. Before entering the private practice, she taught home economics in the public schools and in Lenoir and Johnston community colleges, co-owned a book and gift store and established an interior decorating business.

Her honors are as diverse as the North Carolina 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award and Distinguished Service as a State Government Official by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She holds the Distinguished Attorney Award given by the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys and Common Cause's North Carolina Leadership in Government Award.

She was the recipient of the Women's Equality Award from the N.C. Association of Educators and was inducted into the Honor Society of Agriculture at N.C. State University.

In 2007, Marshall served as president of the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council, a think tank dedicated to bringing the best technology practices into all levels of government across the country. The Recording Industry Association of America presented her with its official "Gold Record" for her law enforcement work to protect trademarked goods and patent holders.

She is married and has five step-children and seven grandchildren.

Arrangements for the Oct. 24 fundraiser are being handled by the Moore County Democratic Party's Finance Committee, chaired by Mary Alice Wicker. It will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets for the luncheon are $35 apiece. Donor categories include: Host, $1,000 (four tickets); Sponsor, $500 (three tickets); Patron, $250 (two tickets); and Friend, $100 (one ticket).

Interested persons can reserve tickets by calling 245-7527.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.