By Olivia Stubbs and Joshua Sarfert

Design Editor and Social Media Coordinator

In the heart of downtown Raleigh sits the North Carolina Executive Mansion, an ornate Victorian-style building surrounded by greenery and filled with history. Similarly, R.J. Reynolds High School is a historic edifice in Winston-Salem. First Lady of North Carolina, Anna Stein, knows both of these buildings well. She spent her high school years in the halls of R.J. Reynolds, and now, she resides in the Mansion. Attending RJR from 1984 to 1988, Stein became a devoted Demon.

    “I liked that it was a big school,” Stein said. “I liked that there were always new people to discover.”

    Outside of school, Stein danced at Vinni Frederick’s, now called the Academy of Dance Arts. She tried out for the Dancing Boots and joined the team in her 10th grade year.

    “I loved being a Dancing Boot,” Stein said. “We danced in football season and basketball season, and then danced at the talent shows.”

   Stein also served as the Chief Judge of the RJR Honor Court and participated as a member of Girls’ Council.

    “[Girls’ Council] was a major focus of my time, and we did a lot of service work,” Stein said. “We were really putting the hours in…we were out actually volunteering in the community.”

    For a long time, RJR and its surrounding community have dealt with socioeconomic inequality. This issue existed during Stein’s time at RJR and remains today.

    “I came very much from a middle-class household,” Stein said. “A lot of the kids that I went to school with were wealthier than I was.”

    In navigating this situation, Stein gained a new perspective that would help to inspire her later work. 

    “Truly, I did learn that nobody has it easy,” Stein said. “I think it really taught me not to envy people, not to wish you were in someone else’s place.”

After Stein graduated from RJR, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then attended law school at UNC Chapel Hill and eventually began her legal career. 

    “I really wanted to make a difference to people’s lives, and I wanted to help low-income people with their legal problems,” Stein said. “So my dream was to work with Legal Aid.”

    At age 40, Stein’s career shifted when she decided to further her education and pursue her Master’s Degree in Public Health.

    “After I had three kids, and my youngest started kindergarten, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” Stein said. “I got my Master’s in Public Health, [concentrating] in health behavior, kind of going back to that psychology interest.”

    Stein began working for the state in the NC Division of Public Health, focusing on the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch. 

    “People get a big kick out of the fact that I went to R.J. Reynolds and was doing tobacco control,” Stein said. “When I first started, the main thing I was working on was smoke-free housing and apartment buildings…I was also working to help lead the creation of the North Carolina jail health tool kit, [which] just came out in January.”

    Last year, Stein continued her contributions to the state when she stood alongside her husband, Josh Stein, in his 2024 NC Gubernatorial Election campaign. After Josh Stein’s landslide victory on November 5th, Anna Stein prepared for her next chapter. She soon set goals for her time as First Lady.

    “I’m focusing on trying to combat stigma against people with substance use and mental health disorders; these are often co-occurring,” Stein said.

    Stein is also fighting stigma against currently and formerly incarcerated people and working to improve reentry programs in the state.

    “My work in substance use stigma is very much a continuation of the work that I was doing at the Division of Public Health,” Stein said. 

    While not included in her initial platform, Stein is passionate about improving NC public education. After attending public school for the entirety of her education, Stein understands the inner workings of the school system. 

    “Having a strong public school system is the best way to be a strong state and be competitive economically,” Stein said. “We really need to raise teacher pay. We have not kept pace with other states.”

    In addition to its contribution to her policy goals, Stein’s government experience gives her a unique knowledge of the strengths and talents of state agencies. This perspective is helpful when Stein talks with the governor’s staff, allowing her to provide insight into the wide-ranging abilities of the lower executive branch.

    Stein’s job extends beyond her work in policy. Her responsibilities also include public appearances and interactions. 

    “I get to visit fascinating places and meet fascinating people,” Stein said. “[It’s] just such a privilege to be able to get those opportunities.”

    Thus far, these experiences have been filled with positivity and gratitude.

    “It’s really lovely; people are so kind and thank me for my service,” Stein said. “I get nothing but generosity and kindness.”

    Stein reciprocates the positivity she receives, bringing an inspiring presence to every place she visits around the Tarheel State. A recent visit to Winston-Salem prompted Stein to reflect on her experience at RJR. After finding her own success, Stein now imparts her wisdom to the next generation of Demons.

    “If you have a passion and you have an idea of what you want to do, keep at it,” Stein said. “We need your talents, we need everyone’s skills, and there are so many opportunities out there.”

    Stein’s passion and talent have supported her success as she has worked to give back to the state she loves. Brick by brick, she has built a legacy from the storied halls of Reynolds High School to the distinguished rooms of the people’s house.