RALEIGH — A resolution has been filed in the N.C. House of Representatives to recognize the life of late former legislator Melanie Wade Goodwin.
Goodwin, who served in the House, succeeding her husband, Wayne Goodwin, died last September following an 11-year battle with cancer.
She was born in Richmond, Virginia, but spent most of her life in North Carolina, according to the joint resolution.
Goodwin graduated in 1988 from Sanderson High School in Raleigh and went on to obtain an BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1992 and a Juris Doctorate from Campbell University in 2000.
Her public service career with the state began the same year she graduated from UNC, serving as special projects director for the N.C. Council on Women. She held that post until 1997. During that time, she also served as a state delegate to the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
After obtaining her law degree, Goodwin opened a practice in Hamlet — and later an office in Rockingham — where she specialized in family law.
Goodwin served three terms in the state House, during which time she made milestones as the first female representative of Richmond County and the first sitting legislator to give birth in office.
She also held leadership positions and served on a variety of committees.
After leaving office in 2011, Goodwin was appointed deputy director of the N.C. Industrial Commission and was named chief deputy director in 2019.
Goodwin was also a member of many civic organizations and received several awards.
The resolution, filed June 24, was sponsored by Rep. Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg.
See a copy of the resolution attached at the bottom of this story.
