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Inspirational Piece
Warren performed many services during her lifetime, but her time serving as an American Democratic
member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the state’s 8th House district from 1999
until 2012, afforded her the greatest opportunity to have a far-reaching impact on the students and educators
in the state of North Carolina—an impact that extended beyond the confines of any one school or school
district. Warren’s service also allowed her to be a strong advocate for those in higher education, the East
Carolina Heart Institute, and the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine.
In a study of former presidents of Beta Upsilon Chapter, Broughton and Dotson (2021) conducted
interviews. Warren was the first former president interviewed for this study. Warren served as chapter
president from 1978–1980. When asked what she would advise women educators to do today, she
commented, not surprisingly, about political involvement: “I would advise the next generation of leaders to
participate. Step up to the plate. Stretch your wings. Be confident. Share with others. Be open, transparent,
bare your soul. I saw the importance of legislature. Be politically involved.” She commented that putting
herself in leadership positions was her particular opportunity to give something back to the community.
Two of the tenets Warren most strongly promoted were the need to serve and the need to take part,
especially regarding exercising one’s right to vote and serving in political office. She maintained that
each person deserved the right to be heard—which can best be accomplished through the vote and service
within the political machine. Cathy Warren said her mother advocated “to have a voice, you have to vote”
(Livingston, 2023). This legacy is one that must be honored by educators diligently in every election
cycle to allow them to advocate for themselves, their students, and education in general. Never has this
been more important than the current time as citizens face growing inequalities, global pandemics, digital
transformation, and so many other challenges. Educators must make their voices heard both nationally
and locally at every opportunity they are offered. Warren realized this need and rose to the challenge. DKG
members today should do no less.
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