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A “New Yorker” as she calls herself, 73-year-old Marcia Strawder now calls Washington home and will serve as the grand marshal for this year’s Freedom to Prosperity Parade, during Washington’s two-day Juneteenth celebration entitled A Celebration of Culture, Resilience, and Survival. Though she has only resided in Washington for about 12 years, she has certainly made her mark by touching the lives of many in the community. 

“Ms. Marcia Strawder was selected as the 2025 Juneteenth Grand Marshal in recognition of her dedication and service to our community,” said Sarah Godley, crime prevention community outreach coordinator and event planning committee member. “An outstanding advocate for seniors, she has consistently used her voice to bring attention to their needs. We desired to recognize her contributions to the City of Washington, including encouraging civic engagement through voting, distributing bread and essentials on behalf of the Red Cross, and advocating for the creation of senior programs in other communities. These, among many other qualities, made her a great candidate.”

Strawder and her significant other, Jim, moved to Washington in October of 2013. Jim grew up and was raised in Washington. Living in New York at the time, Strawder was looking for someplace smaller. “I was looking for a small town by the side of a river,” said Strawder. “When I saw Washington for the first time, I said, ‘God answers prayers.’ It was perfect, perfect, perfect. It just felt like home. It took me a while to heal after Jim died. This was supposed to be our retirement home, but it still is for me. I’m so happy that I’m a North Carolinian now.” 

Strawder is a bit modest when discussing her life and things she has done over her first 73 years. She said she has always been a clerical worker and has never been important. But admits with a smile, she was always there in her support role, making sure things ran smoothly, and providing the background for whatever they needed. “No matter where I worked, I had the skills to make sure what needed to get done was getting done,” said Strawder. “Everything from paying the phone bills, to typing up the minutes from meetings, and making sure they were distributed, to making sure those who were supposed to be at a meeting were there.”

She currently serves as the Secretary of the Beaufort County Democratic Club, is a member of the Salvation Army women’s group, is the precinct captain for the P.S. Jones, Ward 3, takes Tai Chi classes two days a week, and tries never to miss the second Friday senior movie night.

“I do my best to keep myself happy,” said Strawder. “I love to help others because it makes me feel good. If it is not something I can do for others or myself, and not put my whole heart into it cheerfully, I don’t get involved.”

Strawder added that she recently painted her house purple because she has always wanted a purple house. “Convention says you can’t step out like that, but I will soon be turning 74. If I don’t step out now, I never will, so I have a purple house,” she exclaimed with a big grin.

As for being named the Grand Marshal of this year’s Freedom to Prosperity parade, “I don’t know why they chose me, but it is an honor that I have happily accepted,” said Strawder. “Juneteenth is a special holiday, real special,” as she gazed off in deep reflection. “It is almost indicative of what America does. It does something decent to free the slaves, but for someone else’s own economic good, they decided not to tell the folks in Texas they didn’t have to work for nothing anymore. So when those Union Soldiers walked in and freed those people in Galveston, Texas, that was the day that America could say you are finally free.”