South North Carolina News

From March 25, 2023 post.

Scotland County Women’s History

Lucile B. Bridgeman was well known in Scotland County.

She graduated from Elise Academy and King’s College and began her distinguished career in public health that led to her position as Scotland County heath director, one of which very few women were awarded. She retired in 1984 after 39 years of dedicated service.

After retiring, Lucile was appointed to the Scotland County Board of Commissioners and was subsequently elected. She had the honor of serving as the first female Scotland County Commissioner. She served until 1990. Her love of community continued as she served on numerous committees and boards, including The Laurinburg – Maxton Airport Commission, Southeastern Regional Mental Health Board, president of North Carolina Mental Health Council, trustee for Scotland Memorial Hospital, and Edwin Morgan Center board member. She served on the Stadium Civic Center Board, Lumber River State Park Citizen’s Advisory Committee, Chamber of Commerce Human Relations Committee, Scotland County Transportation Committee, and the Lumber River Council of Governments.

She was instrumental in defeating the location of the GSX toxic waste project, as a member of SCAT, an environmental group opposed to the location of a hazardous waste facility in Scotland County. Lucile was involved with the Scotland County Humane Society and was a member of the Pilot Club of Laurinburg.

Lucile was the recipient of many awards, including the Laurinburg Pilot Club’s Non-Member Business and Professional Woman of the Year Award, Group Merit Award from the North Carolina Public Health Association, County Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties, North Carolina Governor’s Health Department of Excellence as finalist for a Robert Wood Johnson Grant in Public Health and Community Health Efforts (one of three national finalists), and the Watson S. Rankin Award for personal achievement by the N.C. Public Health Association.

Lucile was a loyal member of the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church. She loved reading and volunteering in the church library. Playing bridge was one of her favorite pastimes. Above all, her greatest joy was sharing time with her family, especially with her grandchildren. Her legacy of love and commitment will forever be treasured by all who had the honor of knowing Lucile.

Even after her death in 2018, Lucile Bridgeman has left a lasting impact on Scotland County.

Source can be found here.