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If a “Who’s Who” book is ever written about outstanding Greensboro volunteers, Glorine Luper should be included.

“I have always enjoyed helping people,” Luper said, “and volunteering is one of the most fulfilling ways to do this.”

Over the years, Luper has served as president of seven Greensboro organizations: O. Henry Woman’s Club, Greensboro Symphony Guild, Wesley Long Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of the Young Artists Opera, Guild of Family and Children’s Services, Ingleside Garden Club and the Lecture League.

Luper feels that a president is only as good as the people who work with her because everything depends on working as a team.

While volunteering with community organizations, Luper also worked for years in the business world with her husband, Tom Luper, a local builder and real estate agent.

Glorine Luper worked as corporate secretary of Luper Inc., a realty and construction company, as her husband built homes in Starmount, Green Valley, Hamilton Forest, Irving Park, Green Acres and Summerfield.

“The only way you can work with your husband,” Luper said, “is if he is the boss in the office and you are the boss at home.”

Tom Luper once had an option to build a clubhouse and 18-hole golf course on a place called Price Farm. The Lupers decided not to go through with the transaction because the club would be designated for men only. This property is known today as the Cardinal Country Club and serves women and men.

Glorine Luper grew up with female role models who knew their way around the business world and were involved in community projects.

Her grandmother owned a dress and costume-design business for actresses. Her mother worked with her father in the family-owned commercial fishing business in Rhode Island. Her sister was a jewelry buyer for a department store, and her aunt ran a photography studio.

Luper’s first volunteer work was as a docent at Blandwood Mansion. She became a volunteer with Wesley Long Hospital and joined the Wesley Long Auxiliary in 1963. It had about 500 members at that time.

She became auxiliary president in 1987. During her second year as president, the auxiliary established a scholarship fund of $25,000 for nursing students at UNCG and committed to raising and donating $100,000 to Wesley Long Day Care Center.

In 1985, she became president of the O. Henry Woman’s Club. The club raised money to provide scholarships to deserving young students and supported Clara House, a home for abused women and their children.

They also donated financially to help refurbish the historic 1880 Weir-Jordan house, where the Greensboro Woman’s Club meets.
Luper has had a long association with the Greensboro Symphony Guild, which she joined in 1980. The guild supports the Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra.

Luper was honored with the Golden Note Award from the guild in 1998 for outstanding contributions to the guild and community.
Through its Music in the Middle program, the guild helped introduce students to instruments and classical music, such as Concerts at the Coliseum program for fourth- and fifth-grade students and the Music at Midday program for older citizens.

The Symphony Guild golf tournaments were always one of Luper’s favorite projects. She was active in these tournaments from 1991 until 2002.

“Kay Wilkins was our first golf tournament sponsor, with a donation of $5,000,” she said. “There are so many hard working, smart, reliable women in the guild that it’s impossible to name them,” Luper said. “They give their time, homes, energy and money to bring the enjoyment of music to Greensboro.”

In 1995, Luper became a charter member of the Guild of Family and Children’s Services of Greater Greensboro Foundation.

Money was raised by the group of about 100 members to help families who needed early health treatment and support in times of crisis and transition.

Luper is in her second year as president of the Greensboro Lecture League.

“We have 150 members of caring, intelligent women who have contributed to the well-being of Greensboro, and I am honored to be representing such a nice group of women,” Luper said.

Glorine and Tom Luper have been members of First Baptist Church for 45 years and enjoy attending the Joy Sunday School Class.
Last year they were honored with a 50th wedding anniversary celebration by their five children. They also have 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Originally from Newport, R.I., Luper has lived in Greensboro with Tom since 1961. She is a graduate of Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

She knows first-hand the energy and drive it takes to work and volunteer in the community:

“From what I have seen of today’s young women who are working and volunteering, they are doing a great job.”

To suggest a person or organization that is “Making a Difference” or has in the past, in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.