South North Carolina News

From March 16, 2023 post.

Scotland County Women’s History

Born January 29, 1921, Mary Horne was married to the late Legette W. “Dusty” Odom, Jr. Odom grew up in a rural area near Greenville and graduated from East Carolina College. After college, she taught school throughout Scotland County for 28 years, and worked for the United States Postal Service for seven years, and for The Laurinburg Exchange for five years.

Later in life, Odom became a political leader. Odom served as moderator of the Presbyterian Women, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and communicator for Coastal Carolina Presbytery Presbyterian Women. She was a pioneer for women’s progress as she served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1971-72 and in the North Carolina Senate in 1975-76.

Odom also served as a member of the Hazardous Waste Management Commission, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Scotland County and the Scotland County Elections Board. Odom was also a member of the Wagram Homemakers and Scotland County Extension Homemakers Association, she also was a part of the Advisory Leadership Council of Cooperative Extension Service. Odom was a trustee of the Edwin Morgan Center and a member of First Bank’s of Scotland County Board. Odom served on the Scotland County Planning and Zoning Board and was a member of SCAT.

Some of Odom’s accomplishments as a member of the Extension Homemakers included campaigns for waste management, lobbying to protect North Carolina rivers, and promoting recycling. Odom is also given credit for organizing the first candidates’ forums.

The accomplishments doesn't stop there. Odom helped plan several educational tours-a historic tour of Scotland County, a Know America Study Tour to Washington, and a historic tour of Larry Home’s home in Virginia.

Odom was selected to be Scotland County’s representative in the North Catolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature. Odom vigorously campaigned for additional funding for our community-based home health care, receiving an additional five million dollars.

Odom has been a wonderful example for women in Scotland County.

Source can be found here.