Delegate Tom Rust (R-86) holds a resolution recognizing lifelong Herndon resident Elma Mankin who turns 90 this August. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
“I was born here 90 years ago, I have been here all my life although I have traveled extensively,” said Elma M. Mankin. “When I was growing up Herndon was a small town. I do not think of Herndon as a small town any more.” Mankin drove to Delegate Tom Rust’s Herndon office in August to accept a resolution, which recognized her for community service and her 90th birthday.
Mankin’s father operated the Moffett Blacksmith Shop, originally located in the town of Herndon. Now the blacksmith shop stands at the farm entrance at Frying Pan Historic site at West Ox Road in Herndon. Joseph Moffet and his son Henry operated the Moffet Blacksmith Shop in Herndon from 1904 to 1955. The shop was moved to Frying Pan Farm Park in 1975 and contains much of the blacksmith's original equipment. The shop is open to the public during special events. A family friend convinced the Moffet family to move from Baltimore, Md. to Herndon, where they opened the blacksmith shop.
ELMA M. MANKIN spent much of life dedicated to making the community a better place. As an active philanthropist, she spent countless hours volunteering in Herndon's many historical sites. She was involved with the Herndon Historical Society, the Herndon Women's Club, Reston Hospital, Herndon United Methodist Church, the Council for the Arts in Herndon, and other local organizations. Mankin began her career as a secretary at Herndon High School and eventually moved to be the secretary of Herndon Elementary School. She married Douglas Mankin and retired when she gave birth to two daughters. After the last of her children grew up, Mankin looked for ways to remain active in the community
Elma Mankin has earned numerous accolades for her community service receiving the Dr. Frist Humanitarian Award in 1996 and the Herndon Mayor's Distinguished Service Award in 1997. She was the Herndon Rotary Club "Citizen of the Year" in 2001 where she was crowned Queen of Herndon, and was recognized at the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Night for her countless years of service to the community. After retirement Mankin enrolled and took art courses at Northern Virginia Community College.
Mankin has had an appreciation of the visual arts, and attended the mural dedication held in August at the Dominion Animal Hospital in Herndon. “The artist, Keith Naquin is a talented man,” said Mankin. Mankin has been a member of the Herndon Women’s Club for 65 years.
THIS SEPT. 1ST, the Women’s Club will be co-hosting the annual Labor Day Festival in downtown Herndon from noon to 6 p.m. The ticketed event will feature music, a craft show, food, twelve wineries, and micro-brews and culinary demonstrations.
Herndon Community Television (HCTV) videotaped an interview with Mankin for a program called “Herndon Voices.”
Regarding changes in transportation with the Silver Line, Mankin is quiet. “Perhaps I am not gung ho about it,” she said with a trace of a smile. Instead Mankin has been lobbying for a merger of the ArtSpace Herndon and the Council for the Arts of Herndon. “I do not think we need two separate art organizations in a town,” said Mankin. For more information on the Herndon Woman’s Club, visit www.herndonwomansclub.com.