Who lifts you up when you’re low + carries you back down when you’re up too high – no, this isn’t your mom I’m talking about, it’s Cherie Berry. Known as the “Elevator Queen” of N.C., Cherie Berry is North Carolina’s Commissioner of Labor, who is loved by kids, teens + adults alike
Sworn in as N.C.’s first female commissioner back in 2001, Cherie Berry was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012 + 2016 – the only person to be elected Labor Commissioner to five consecutive terms in the state. And, before keeping our elevators in check and promoting the health, safety + well-being of workers of the state, Cherie served in the N.C. House of Representatives from 1993-2001.
ICYMI, Cherie recently announced that she will not run for a sixth term in 2020. This announcement came as a shock to many North Carolinians since we are all pretty familiar with her iconic headshot + signature found in every state-run elevator. As a child my brother and I always joked that our elevator-safety was top notch as long as Cherie Berry’s autograph was in sight.
Her name (pronounced Shuh-REE Berry, not Cherry Berry) and role as Labor Commissioner has brought her a lot of local love – and even a kind of fame – here in N.C. From t-shirts + Halloween costumes to songs + beers – the Elevator Queen has found a special height (pun intended) in all our Carolina hearts.
First off, there’s a pretty popular parody Twitter account, @ElevatorQeen, featuring all the elevator + N.C. jokes you could imagine. And, if you are a true fan, you may want to check out these t-shirts by We Be Raleigh saying “Cherie Berry Lifts Me Up.” in three unique styles. Or you could go ahead and get your Halloween costume ready with this Cherie Berry inspiration.
And, if you are feeling sad about the 72-year-old retiring her elevator-signing pen, then listening to these two songs “Cherie Berry” by Alternative Champs and “Cherry Berry” by Urban Myth will hopefully lift your spirits.
So let’s raise a glass of either Unknown Brewing’s Elevator Lady beer or Mill Whistle Brewing’s Cherry Berry Sour Ale (both inspired by our Labor Commissioner, being released at each brewery this month) to Cherie Berry and her almost 19 years in government service.