Inspiring woman: M. Louise McBee, PhD

Dr. M. Louise McBee served six terms in the Georgia General Assembly. A native of Tennessee, Dr. McBee's career began as a high school teacher in Virginia, but she has made her mark on education and politics in Georgia. Beginning in 1963, she held several posts with the University of Georgia, including dean of women, associate dean of students, dean of students, assistant vice president for instruction, associate and senior associate vice president for academic affairs, and acting vice president for academic affairs.

Throughout her tenure at the University, Dr. McBee won the high regard of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the institution for her openness, candor, honesty, and integrity as well as for her consummate skill as a university administrator. She was a Fulbright scholar and authored or co-authored numerous books and scholarly articles. In 1988, she received the Abraham Baldwin award from the University of Georgia Alumni Society for distinguished service to the University.

She retired from the University in 1988 and moved into the next phase of her life with customary vigor and enthusiasm. She tackled Mt. Everest and was, at the time, the oldest woman to climb higher than 18,000 feet. From there she plunged into politics. McBee was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives from Clarke County in 1993. She served 6 terms before retiring from the General Assembly of Georgia in 2004. She ran unopposed in every election. She co-sponsored the commission that set goals for higher standards for the Hope scholarship program and is credited with saving the program, which she calls ‘the best thing that has happened to the state of Georgia in the 20^th century."

Georgia's WIN List recently honored Dr. McBee for her years of leadership. On presentlng the award, WIN List Chair Melita Easters said, "Dr. McBee is a legend in Georgia. She has been a mentor and an inspiration for many who now hold political office and others who are active in the civic, cultural, and social fabric of communities all across this state and beyond."