Many folks who were born and raised in Henderson or Vance County either remember the 1958 cotton mill strike or have grown up hearing stories about it. But even the youngest mill workers during that time are in their 80’s now, so there are fewer and fewer folks still alive to tell the story of how the strike affected the community then and now, more than 60 years later.
In Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk, WIZS’s Bill Harris and local historian Mark Pace add some context to the events that led up to the strike, which lasted until 1961.
In 1895, brothers David Y. and John D. Cooper founded the Henderson Cotton Mill in North Henderson.
They’d made their money in the tobacco business after the Civil War ended and later set their sights on establishing a mill.
Textiles, tobacco and furniture, Pace said, were all North Carolina industries that began with a “relatively cheap raw material that you could manipulate into something much more profitable.”
The profit margins were much higher in textiles than for, say, tobacco, but it came with more risk, Pace explained.
The price and quality of the raw material, workers’ wages and overseas competition were just some of the factors that the Cooper family had to consider with the mills, which numbered three by 1913. Harriet Mills opened in South Henderson in 1909 and then Harriet Plant No. 2 opened in 1913.
“It took off like gangbusters,” Pace said. Indeed, the textile industry was not only big in Henderson, but also in the southern United States, possibly “the most important industrial endeavor in the South, even up until the 1980’s and 1990’s,” Pace said.
It was 1943 when the union first came to the Harriet and Henderson plants, he said. By this time the mills were under the leadership of John D. Cooper, Jr., who ran it until 1962, Pace said. By the time World War II ended, the U.S. found itself in the unique position of being pretty much the only textile producers left – between the devastation across Europe and civil wars in India and Pakistan, the domestic textile industry was looking good.
Harris said a post-war economic boom led to a 1949 downturn, and as other countries rebuilt and retooled, it was more difficult for the local mills to keep their equipment current.
“They were very forward thinking,” Pace said, and wanted badly to modernize the mills after World War II, but faced years long backorders as a result of post-War reconstruction.
Throw in the rise of synthetic textiles like rayon and nylon – no cotton needed – and the textile industry began to falter.
Harriet and Henderson produced thread and yarn from the raw cotton, and employed as many as 1,000 people during its peak, when it was the largest yarn manufacturer.
“Within the confines of the industry,” Pace said, the Coopers were “very innovative and forward-thinking.”
To keep the mills running despite high absenteeism, management had dozens of employees at the ready each day to fill jobs when employees didn’t show up for work, Pace said. Even if they weren’t needed inside the mill, the stand-by workers would get two hours’ pay for showing up.
“A lot of plant managers would not have put up with that,” Pace said of the often high absentee rate. “But the Coopers wanted the work force to be happy.”
Women made up half the work force, and sometimes had to take off with little or no prior notice but management tolerated it because they felt an obligation to the workers, he added.
Pace said he considers the mill strike of 1958 as one of the top two or three most important events in the history of Vance County, “right up there with Civil Rights or the coming of the railroad and the creation of the tobacco industry.”
Listen back to the entire show at www.wizs.com.
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Jimmy & The Sound Barriers Perform Benefit Concert Aug. 3 At Clearview Church
/by WIZS StaffClearview Church is the place to be Sunday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. when JIMMY & THE SOUND BARRIERS AND FRIENDS are scheduled to perform in concert to benefit the Anchor of Hope ministry.
Come sit back and enjoy a wonderful night of country and bluegrass gospel music performed Gaither style by Jimmy Barrier and the Sound Barriers along with many talented guests such as the Hodnett Family.
This has become a popular annual event at Clearview Church, located at 3485 US 158 Business in Henderson.
Admission if free, but a love offering will be taken, organizers say.
The night is dedicated to church’s Anchor of Hope ministry, which serves those who are facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. Members pray for and minister to individuals who are facing a medical crisis, the loss of a loved one, or other tough times and present them with a blanket as a way to remind them there is hope, God is with them, and there are people praying for them.
If you would like to be involved or to donate to this ministry, send an email to info@clearviewbc.org.
Men’s Shelter Manager Guest Speaker At Aug. 12 Community Info Series At Baskerville Funeral Home
/by WIZS StaffThe next Community Information Series at Baskerville Funeral Home features Community Partners of Hope, a local organization that operates the emergency men’s shelter that provides a path from homelessness to housing.
Shelter Program Manager Darryl Jones will be the guest speaker at the event, which will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home, located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.
Jones will share insights about how the work of CPOH transforms lives, through community partnerships that offer hope help and essential resources to support men on their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency, according to information from Charlie Baskerville, Jr.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and explore ways to support and uplift our community together.
For more information, call 252.430.6824.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-24-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Bedtime Problems Pt. 1
/by WIZS StaffJamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We learn on how to work with children who have problems at bedtime, such as not wanting to sleep in their bed, in addition to other obstacles at bedtime.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Harriet-Henderson Cotton Mill Strike of 1958
/by WIZS StaffMany folks who were born and raised in Henderson or Vance County either remember the 1958 cotton mill strike or have grown up hearing stories about it. But even the youngest mill workers during that time are in their 80’s now, so there are fewer and fewer folks still alive to tell the story of how the strike affected the community then and now, more than 60 years later.
In Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk, WIZS’s Bill Harris and local historian Mark Pace add some context to the events that led up to the strike, which lasted until 1961.
In 1895, brothers David Y. and John D. Cooper founded the Henderson Cotton Mill in North Henderson.
They’d made their money in the tobacco business after the Civil War ended and later set their sights on establishing a mill.
Textiles, tobacco and furniture, Pace said, were all North Carolina industries that began with a “relatively cheap raw material that you could manipulate into something much more profitable.”
The profit margins were much higher in textiles than for, say, tobacco, but it came with more risk, Pace explained.
The price and quality of the raw material, workers’ wages and overseas competition were just some of the factors that the Cooper family had to consider with the mills, which numbered three by 1913. Harriet Mills opened in South Henderson in 1909 and then Harriet Plant No. 2 opened in 1913.
“It took off like gangbusters,” Pace said. Indeed, the textile industry was not only big in Henderson, but also in the southern United States, possibly “the most important industrial endeavor in the South, even up until the 1980’s and 1990’s,” Pace said.
It was 1943 when the union first came to the Harriet and Henderson plants, he said. By this time the mills were under the leadership of John D. Cooper, Jr., who ran it until 1962, Pace said. By the time World War II ended, the U.S. found itself in the unique position of being pretty much the only textile producers left – between the devastation across Europe and civil wars in India and Pakistan, the domestic textile industry was looking good.
Harris said a post-war economic boom led to a 1949 downturn, and as other countries rebuilt and retooled, it was more difficult for the local mills to keep their equipment current.
“They were very forward thinking,” Pace said, and wanted badly to modernize the mills after World War II, but faced years long backorders as a result of post-War reconstruction.
Throw in the rise of synthetic textiles like rayon and nylon – no cotton needed – and the textile industry began to falter.
Harriet and Henderson produced thread and yarn from the raw cotton, and employed as many as 1,000 people during its peak, when it was the largest yarn manufacturer.
“Within the confines of the industry,” Pace said, the Coopers were “very innovative and forward-thinking.”
To keep the mills running despite high absenteeism, management had dozens of employees at the ready each day to fill jobs when employees didn’t show up for work, Pace said. Even if they weren’t needed inside the mill, the stand-by workers would get two hours’ pay for showing up.
“A lot of plant managers would not have put up with that,” Pace said of the often high absentee rate. “But the Coopers wanted the work force to be happy.”
Women made up half the work force, and sometimes had to take off with little or no prior notice but management tolerated it because they felt an obligation to the workers, he added.
Pace said he considers the mill strike of 1958 as one of the top two or three most important events in the history of Vance County, “right up there with Civil Rights or the coming of the railroad and the creation of the tobacco industry.”
Listen back to the entire show at www.wizs.com.
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‘Unshame NC’ Campaign Takes Aim To Remove Stigma Related To Substance Abuse Disorder, Raise Awareness
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein, in collaboration with Shatterproof, announced the launch of the Unshame North Carolina campaign to end stigma related to substance use disorder. Unshame NC has two primary goals: to increase knowledge and awareness of substance use disorder and medications for opioid use disorder as a treatment option.
“Stigma is deeply rooted and causes real harm to people and communities across North Carolina,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Unshame NC is part of a collaborative effort from all of us to end stigma, build acceptance and increase support for treatment for people on their path to recovery.”
“Many people struggling with substance use don’t seek help because of stigma,” said North Carolina First Lady Anna Stein. “This campaign will highlight the stories of people who have experience with substance use disorder and recovery and bring greater awareness to effective methods of treatment for opioid use disorder.”
Unshame NC was launched Tuesday at the Wake County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition meeting. The website, https://www.unshamenc.org/ includes testimonials from North Carolinians sharing their personal stories of substance use, hope and recovery. Facebook and Instagram content will help drive users to the website, which provides links to resources, including information on how to find the right treatment center, and guidance for providers and for family members seeking care for a loved one. NCDHHS contracted with national non-profit Shatterproof to develop and implement the Unshame NC campaign.
Recent data from a statewide survey indicates 57 percent of North Carolinians know someone with opioid use disorder. Despite this widespread issue, only 34 percent of North Carolina residents know how to find quality treatment for themselves or their loved ones. Additionally, only one in five adults in North Carolina recognizes that opioid use disorder is a medical condition. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive education that connects people to lifesaving resources and treatment.
“There’s no better evidence that recovery is real than a life changed,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW LCSW, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “We’re pairing the stories of people in recovery with a statewide effort to increase access to MOUD, so more people can benefit from evidence-based care. Real access means supporting people on the recovery journey that makes sense for them, without judgment—and offering them every opportunity for lifesaving treatment, that includes MOUD.”
Unshame NC focuses on the voices and experiences of North Carolinians affected by substance use disorder. Through storytelling, education, and grassroots activation, the campaign demonstrates that people with substance use disorder are valued members of our communities—our family, neighbors, and coworkers—and highlights actionable ways we can ensure everyone has the support they need to thrive.
“While most North Carolinians believe that people with SUD can recover with treatment, stigma and misinformation can create barriers to care,” said Courtney McKeon, senior vice president for Shatterproof’s National Stigma Initiative and longtime resident of the Research Triangle area. “We see this often regarding medications for opioid use disorder, a gold standard of care. Through the stories of North Carolinians, we have the opportunity to increase understanding of all treatment options and support individuals on their path to improved health and wellness.”
“It’s not just about overdoses. It’s not just about lives that were lost or lives that were saved,” says Michael, one of Unshame NC’s story sharers. “It’s also about how we treat the people who went through it and how we bring them out of the shadows. How do we welcome them back into society? How do we get them back to where we need to be? And that requires a lot of folks like me to speak out and help break the stigma.”
People with substance use disorder flourish in environments that offer both community support and multiple pathways for treatment. If you want to share your story with NCDHHS and Unshame NC, you can get involved by filling out a Story Sharer Interest Form or joining the Unshame NC coalition.
Follow @UnshameNC on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.UnshameNC.org to learn more.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, NCDHHS provides somewhere to go, someone to talk to and someone to respond. You can find the help that is right for you 24/7 on the NCDHHS Crisis Services website.
The 988 Lifeline Chat and Text – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone 24/7 by call, text or chat.
North Carolinians can call the 24/7 Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) to speak with a peer support specialist. Peer support specialists are individuals living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others.
The NC Recovery Helpline (800-688-4232) offers support and referrals for treatment and resources.
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SportsTalk: Scott Corrente Fits Right In As VCHS New AD
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scott Corrente, the new Vance County High School Athletic Director, Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue on SportsTalk, to discuss his new role and what plans are to come for the future of Vance County High School Athletics.
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Home and Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-23-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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TownTalk: Salvation Army Power Couple Ready to Help Henderson
/by WIZS StaffWith about five weeks at their new posts with the Henderson Salvation Army, Majors Jonathan and Staci Gainey say they know one thing for sure: They want to stay, set down roots and have a positive impact in the community.
“We’re looking forward to being here for a very long time,” Jonathan said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. “We have no intentions of leaving.”
The couple got their assignment from the Salvation Army’s divisional commander – they had no say in that. “But we can let the Salvation Army know that we have no interest in leaving – we plan on staying,” Jonathan said.
In these first few weeks, Staci said they’ve been learning the ropes and “figuring out where they can make the best impact in our community.”
One way is helping to stock the food pantry with shelf-stable items that are distributed to households in need. If your gardens are giving you more produce than you can use, consider dropping off veggies or other fresh items. The Salvation Army has a walk-in fridge and freezer for those things.
Jonathan, who hails from Jacksonville, FL, is the one who does the preaching, teaching and challenging and Staci is the person behind the organizing and administration of the various programs, projects and services that the Salvation Army is known for.
“Staci is very gifted in leadership and administration,” Jonathan said. “We work together but we know where our strengths are.”
As time goes on, Staci said she hopes to visit civic clubs and other organizations to develop relationships and connections as they share the news and mission with the community.
The office of the Salvation Army, located at 2292 Ross Mill Rd. in Henderson, is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will accept donations and requests for help during those office hours. The phone number is 252.438.7107.
The Salvation Army helps individuals with things like food, clothing, after-school care and more, but it’s also a church.
Amidst all the programs and social services aspects of the Salvation Army, Jonathan reminds the community that they’re also ordained pastors who want to nurture people’s spiritual side.
“We meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination,” he said.
They’re already planning for the upcoming holiday season and folks can expect to see the familiar red kettles when they’re out and about between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
They’ll be signing up volunteer bell ringers, too.
There’s plenty to do between now and then, and the Majors Gainey are already hard at work.
“We want to be a part of this community,” Staci said. “We want to know people and want for them to get to know us as well.”
Visit https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/henderson-nc/ to learn more about how to help.
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