BY KARISSA MILLER

Mayor Costi Kutteh declared August 21, 2025, as Dorothy Woodward Day in the City of Statesville in recognition of Woodard’s legacy of caring for others and being a champion for equal rights.

“I want to honor you with a proclamation. In particular, for your efforts in this community,” the mayor said during the recent Chestnut Grove Community Celebration.

Woodard, who was teary eyed, stood in shock Thursday afternoon after Kutteh’s remarks. She was also presented with a portrait of herself to commemorate the occasion — a symbolic gesture that meant she had cemented her place in Chestnut Grove history.

“Thank you all so much. This is certainly an honor. I had no idea, no idea that this was coming,” Woodard said.

“The work that I do is for the community. It’s not to be proclaimed by anyone, but I do really appreciate it. I love all of you,” she added.

Living History

The Chestnut Grove Celebration included the screening of dozens of living history videos in which alumni shared memories of their school days.

Chestnut Grove alumni Hugh Mitchell Turner addressed those in the audience.

“I’m grateful to be here today because Chestnut Grove is my happy place. Seven of eight of my first academic years were at Chestnut Grove Elementary School. Those years were very impactful on my life,” Turner said.

Many individuals, he said, including association president Jesse Summer, other association officers and families have played a large role in carrying out and exceeding the vision Uncle Alvin Morrison had for Chestnut Grove Center.

“One person, Dorothy Woodard, stands out above all others and deserves to have her picture on the wall next to that of Alvin Morrison,” he said.

Turner has known Woodard all of her life.

“Her life has been a life of action and accomplishment,” he said.

Woodard graduated with honors from Chestnut Grove Elementary school, Unity High School and Livingston College, where she majored in mathematics. She earned a post graduate degree and was inducted into the Livingston College Hall of Fame.

Woodard had a distinguished career as an educator and administrator. She also won a discrimination case against a school district.

“Ever the fighter, she was in the group of Unity students who sat in at the Woolworth lunch counters in the 1960s,” Turner added.

“Dorothy,” he continued, “we thank you, we praise you and we salute you for all your hard work obtaining thousands of dollars in grants, for organizing and promoting blood drives, for sponsoring health fairs and keeping and reporting accurate and comprehensive financial records.”

He said that Woodard has made Chestnut Grove Community Center a “jewel of a meeting place, not only in beauty, but how it serves the community.”

“It’s ironic that a school for segregating black children is now a magnificent meeting place that can be used by all,” he said in closing.

Welcoming Remarks

Speaker Deland Myers said during the time when schools were segregated the students who attended Chestnut Grove Elementary came to school, got a good education and went on to do some great things in the community.

“Today, we will honor those teachers that taught at that time,” he said. “We will honor the students who came here. That is why we are here.”

Myers thanked the Preservation Fund for helping to fund the event, along with N.C. Extension Office.

Next, Evie Morrison Myers recognized the alumni. They were wearing purple and brown corsages. Myers asked the students to stand and received a round of applause.

She then recognized former teachers Myrl Houston Thomas, Jacqueline Carr Steele and Margaret S. Marks and the Chestnut Grove Community Center Board

Myers said that the Faithful Families participants, around age 52 to 97, came to seven classes about wellness. Mayor Kutteh presented certificates of completion to the following Faithful Family participants:

Sylvia Brown
Louise Daniels
Della Frazier
Debbie Grider
Lavida Harris
Veola Hayden
Joseph Heaggans
Noble Holmes
Kenneth James
Christine Johnson
Julia Lackey
Virginia Lazenby
Alfreda McClain
Betty Morrison
Evie Myers
Cynthia Nichols
Janice Oakley
Maggie Turner
Gloria Parker
James Roseboro
Kathy Scott
Faye Shephard
Eura Stevenson
Jessie Summers
Maggie Turner
Murphey Wellman
Dorothy Woodard

Oral History Project

Visit YouTube “Chestnut Grove Community Center” to see the oral history project videos, where you can learn about the alumni, what school was like during segregation and much more.

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