Vanzolla McMurran, the former Dare County Register of Deeds, was honored with a STAR award during the 61st annual convention of the Democratic Women of North Carolina to be held virtually on Saturday, Jan. 22.
This prestigious award is sponsored by the Democratic Women of North Carolina to recognizes women and men who have accomplished extraordinary things on behalf of Democrats across the state, including elected Democratic leadership.
“Vanzolla McMurran is a person of remarkable character and integrity,” said Susan Harman-Scott, President of the Democratic Women of Dare. “She has had an enviable history in the Office of the Register of Deeds, and her tenure speaks volumes about her dedication, her work ethic, and her commitment to the ideals of the Democratic Party.”
She is the first black person to serve in that position.
McMurran was appointed to the position in 2009 when her predecessor Barbara Gray retired and recommended her for the office. She held the office until losing it in the 2018 election by little more than 600 votes.
The position is responsible for protecting the integrity, completeness, accuracy, and safekeeping of records under its control.
She began in the Register of Deeds in 1981 at the age of 19 and spent the next 37 years serving in the office.
McMurran simultaneously reared her own family that includes two daughters, ages 41 and 26, and a nine-year-old adopted son. She also has four grandchildren.
She is the secretary for Free Grace Disciples of Christ church, a member of the Outer Banks Christian Women and a member of the League of Women Voters of Dare County.
In 2021, she received a STAR award from the Democratic Women of Dare County.
The mission of the Democratic Women of Dare is to encourage all Democratic women to participate in the work of their party as a public service, in the belief that the political party system strengthens the nation’s representative form of government. For more information, please visit Democraticwomenofdare.org.