Nina Monroe
Nina Marie Hill Monroe
DOB: 2/5/63 – 61 years old
Even though she describes herself as extremely shy, Nina has navigated and is building a career that requires astute business and social skills.
Nina has lived in Fluvanna her entire life, except for an experience in Texas (1988-1991). Born and reared in the West Bottom community in Fluvanna, she built her home in the Fork Union community at the age of 24 and still lives there. Her mother and two siblings live in the West Bottom community, while two others live elsewhere.
Though Nina does not know much about her family ancestry beyond her grandparents, she has used her decorating talents to create a collage of initials of family names she has heard mentioned regarding her ancestry: Hill, Scott, McGruder, Coleman, Johnson and Cuffee. This collage of initials hangs over her fireplace mantel.
All of Nina’s primary education took place in Fluvanna’s schools: Fork Union Elementary, Central Elementary, the Annex for junior high, and Fluvanna High School. She also studied bookkeeping and record-keeping. As a child, she loved reading encyclopedias as well as the dictionary.
Nina had a great career in banking, working in the small business banking division of a major bank in Charlottesville, and managing one local bank as vice president. She then transitioned to building her own small boutique business, The Elephantz Trunk, in the Lake Monticello area. She sells gifts, home décor items, antique and vintage furniture. Through The Elephantz Trunk, she offers professional custom re-upholstery and home decorating services. Being fascinated with elephants Nina collects elephant items. In addition, she is a real estate agent.
Nina describes herself as an introvert. She is creative, detail oriented, and says she has high standards for others, but especially for herself. Her pride and joy is her only child, a daughter whom she calls the “blue-eyed angel.” Despite being an introvert, Nina says she was a lioness when raising her daughter as a single parent, doing everything she could for her.
Nina has made significant contributions to the Fluvanna community. She tries to help where she can, helping people to get ahead. She always thinks of improvement, whether that is restoring a piece of furniture or bettering the community. Nina currently chairs the Fluvanna Economic and Tourism Advisory Council. One project she contributed to was publishing a collection of old recipes from the Fluvanna Black community https://www.fluvannacounty.org/explore/page/traditional-black-and-african-american-family-recipes . She also led a Christmas Tree Lighting Event in the village of Fork Union, a part of the county that is undergoing re-development.
In spite of being shy by nature, Nina is pushing herself to be successful in the business world, as well as making significant contributions to the Fluvanna community.