Four Women Who Shaped Shelby’s Civic and Church Life

At the close of her article on South Washington Street, Mamie Jones wrote that there were four women whose influence deserved special mention, even though lack of space prevented fuller discussion.

She named Mrs. R. B. Miller, who, though an invalid, exerted a tremendous influence. She named Mrs. R. L. Ryburn, described as a Sabbath School teacher, a leader in United Daughters of the Confederacy activities, and a leader in the civic department of the Woman’s Club. Jones wrote that Shelby’s first Woman’s Club, the Chicora, was organized in 1894 at Mrs. Ryburn’s home.

She also named Mrs. McDonald, who was a teacher in the Shelby Female College, and Mrs. O. Max Gardner, who served as the State’s First Lady when her husband was Governor of North Carolina.

Source: Mamie Jones.