RUTH M. PAULEY (1909-1986) moved to Moore County in 1978 after her retirement from a distinguished career in social work in the United States and abroad. Here she continued working for many professional and community interests through numerous volunteer activities. In 1982, North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt named her the Volunteer of the Year of Moore County.
THE PEOPLE
After the death of Ruth Pauley in 1986, Dr. Raymond Stone, then-president of Sandhills Community College, and Eunice Minton, a close friend of Miss Pauley, initiated discussion about establishing a memorial to Ruth. Larry Allen, Edna Bryan, Mary Dezarn, Virginia Leiss, and Jane McPhaul completed the steering committee. After input from interested friends of Ruth Pauley, a decision was made to honor her by establishing a lecture series under her name for the purpose of critical studies of a local, state, national or world issue of concern to the citizens of Moore County.
THE PURPOSE
The mission of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series is to deepen society’s understanding of key issues and encourage public participation in their resolution.