“Surprise!”

At a top-secret ceremony in downtown Greensboro just after 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, the assembled group, a Who’s Who of area leaders, didn’t actually shout out that word. However, a very confused Kay Cashion – who’s been a Guilford County commissioner for over two decades – was clearly both surprised and confused.

Everyone had kept this secret from the birthday girl: that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners had decided to dedicate the county-owned building at 201 South Greene St. in Greensboro to Cashion and name it after her thanks to her long-time public service.

At the afternoon outside event with perfect weather, city, county and state elected officials – as well as county directors, Cashion’s friends and others – gathered together while an unsuspecting Cashion, who was celebrating her birthday, was brought to the downtown ceremony by friends who were using some other excuse for coming there that day.

Cashion was Guilford County’s main driver in getting the Family Justice Center established. It’s a highly acclaimed county department that helps victims of domestic violence, elder abuse and victims of related crimes.

There are now two offices in Guilford County – one in High Point and one in Greensboro – and the Greensboro branch is located in the building.

That was the focal point of the ceremony – however, really, the event was a chance for former and current commissioners, Greensboro City Council members, mayors of towns in the county, county staff and friends and family to show their gratitude for Cashion’s public service in so many ways over so many decades.

 In reality, the event had the feel of a Lifetime Achievement Award presentation rather than that of a building dedication.

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, a fellow Democrat on the board, was the master of ceremonies for the afternoon.

He greeted everyone standing, as well as those sitting in seven rows of folding chairs, and said, “It is my great honor to welcome you here today for this very special occasion as we honor our friend and fellow commissioner in the dedication of the ‘Guilford County Katie S. Cashion Center.’”

Alston added, “This building stands as a testament to the power of advocacy, service and community, all of which are personified by Commissioner Kay Cashion. Thank you all for being here to celebrate her legacy and this new chapter for our community. We are joined today by many special guests and community partners who have come to share in this momentous occasion.”

Alston pointed out all of the elected officials at the event and also acknowledged the presence of the Rhino Times.

Alston said Cashion’s “dedication to public service and advocacy has truly shaped Guilford County” and he added that the building at 201 S. Greene Street will stand as a “testament to that legacy.”

The Greene Street building, which Guilford  County purchased in 1992, was once the Old Meyer’s Department Store. Now it houses numerous Guilford County departments: Human Resources, Purchasing, Finance, Internal Audit, Juvenile Day Reporting, and Probation and Parole.

The Guilford County Family Justice Center, which Alston called a “beacon of hope and healing for our community,” opened in the building in 2015.

Alston said Cashion has devoted her life to serving others and added that “Her tireless advocacy and deep compassion have connected countless individuals with the resources they need.”

At the ceremony, various speakers talked about Cashion’s work in the community advancing the arts, supporting therapeutic court treatment programs, raising funds for historic preservation projects such as Blandwood Mansion – and serving on the State Capitol Board that oversaw the renovations of the State Capitol Building.

They also thanked Cashion for the role she played in establishing Guilford County’s first Adult Behavioral Health Crisis Center and the Juvenile Behavioral Health Crisis Center.

Cashion’s strong influence supporting survivors of abuse goes back at least to 1983, when she and the Dolley Madison Woman’s Club raised funds to purchase a new and safer home for “Clara’s House” – a shelter for battered women and children.

Also, in 1995, Cashion was a founding member of The Guild for Family Services of the Piedmont and she helped raise $3.4 million to buy and renovate a building to house those services.

Other speakers included Family Justice Center Director Catherine Johnson, US Congresswoman Kathy Manning and Cashion’s good friend Rebecca Schlosser, who said succinctly at one point, “Kay’s work saves lives.”

Cashion, who was clearly floored by all the praise, honor and attention, began her remarks with one word.

“Wow,” she said looking quite stunned.

She proved that, even with a few years under her belt, she hadn’t lost a beat.  Though she obviously hadn’t been able to prepare a statement, she spoke at length thanking the commissioners and the crowd, and – with no prepared remarks – she described in detail many of the projects that she was proud to have been involved with over the years.

The speeches outside were followed by a reception with refreshments and a tour of the Family Justice Center.

It’s very fitting that the county has named a building after Cashion.  In 2012 and 2013, Cashion led a county committee that undertook a massive effort to name rooms and buildings owned by the county after prominent historical figures in the county.  That year-long effort was so extensive that the Rhino Times had a good time with a running joke about how Cashion and the committee were naming chairs, closets and stairwells after people.

In May of 2013, Cashion, in a very fun response, convinced the Board of Commissioners to vote unanimously to name a chair in the commissioners’ meeting room after Rhino Times reporter Scott Yost, and a plaque to that effect was placed on the back of the chair used for years by Yost at the press table in the meeting room at the Old Guilford County Court House.