(1902 – 1989)
Born on September 10, 1902, in Hickory, North Carolina, Mamie Nell Whisenant distinguished herself everywhere she went. Her attendance at North Carolina College for Women in Greensboro, Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina, and Columbia University all resulted in outstanding achievement. In 1927, Mamie received her B.S. degree from N. C. College for Women and, in 1939, her M.A. degree from Columbia.
Her first employment was as a home economics teacher in Newton, North Carolina, from 1927 to 1929. She spent the next year teaching vocational home economics in Woodleaf. From there, she was hired as Home Demonstration Agent for Rowan County with the North Carolina Extension Service. She served in that position for four years before moving to State College in Raleigh, where she took the position of Assistant Extension Specialist in home management and home furnishings.
Miss Whisenant then joined Alabama Extension as Extension Home Management Economist at state headquarters in Auburn. Her four years of service were filled with outstanding success. Not only did she have a tremendous store of knowledge, but she was also able to impart it to others. Her inspiration was contagious as she worked to improve life for Alabama families. To this day, she is remembered for the projects and programs she initiated. It was definitely Alabama’s gain when Mamie moved west.
In recognition of her many accomplishments and contributions, the name of Mamie N. Whisenant is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number: 280
