Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Students, Staff
Series 19: STUDENTS
Georgia Ayers Dodd (1918-2003)
PMSS Student 1933-1937
PMSS Staff: Community Worker 1937-1938,
Housemother, Big Log Sept 1938-1940: West Wind 1942-1944
Dietitian 1950-1951
Georgia Ayers (Dodd). [burkhard_neg_0014]
GEORGIA AYERS DODD Student Staff
PMSS Student: 1933-1937
PMSS Staff: Community Worker 1937-1938,
Housemother, Big Log Sept 1938-1940: West Wind 1942-1944
Dietitian 1950-1951
Tags: Georgia Ayers Dodd, Pine Mountain Settlement School students, PMSS Octet, community workers, Arthur W. Dodd, housemothers, Hot Lunch Program, Ganado (Arizona) Mission, dietitians
As a student at the Pine Mountain Settlement School (PMSS) in the 1930s, Georgia Ayers (Dodd) was already well-known as one of three sisters who were members of the PMSS Girls’ Octet. Joanna Ayers, Ruby Ayers, Georgia, and the rest of the group toured the country for the School on promotional trips in 1936 and 1937. A 1937 Octet program for a White House performance listed Georgia as the solo for the famous John Jacob Niles song, “I Wonder As I Wander.” She finished PMSS high school in 1937, the second of her six sisters who also graduated from the School.
1936_mexico_022. “Taxco.” Fern Hall and Georgia Ayers.
Georgia was a talented and precocious student and attracted the attention of the administration who often looked for students to promote. Georgia was one of those. At the end of the school year in June of 1936, she was invited to travel to Mexico with the Principal Arthur Dodd, Fern Hall, Secretary to Glyn Morris, Director, and Grazia Combs, a school administrator from Perry County, KY, and the appointed chaperone.The group drove to New Orleans and then on to Mexico City and the craft city of Taxco, Their journey is recorded in DANCING IN THE CABBAGE PATCH: 1936 PMSS & MEXICO.
Arthur Dodd was obviously “smitten” by Georgia’s bright and quick adaptability and her Ayers, beauty. Not long after the trip, Georgia and Arthur Dodd continued to cautiously “eye” one another.
GEORGIA AYERS: Community Group
Dodd saw in Georgia a potential member of the new “Community Group” program he and Glyn Morris had put together to offer both training and direct service to the local community near the School.
Georgia passed the scrutiny and her post-graduate year, 1937-1938, was spent as a member of the first “Community Group” at the School. Consisting of five young women, all Pine Mountain students, this community visiting project was featured in The Emerging High School Curriculum and Its Direction by Dr. Harold Spears (1948) and garnered attention throughout educational circles.
GEORGIA AYERS DODD: Marriage, Family, and Work at PMSS
![Arthur Dodd and Georgia Ayers Dodd with daughter Elizabeth, c. 1943. {pmss_photo_MOD_dodd_family_enlarged-2.jpg]](https://pinemountainsettlement.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pmss_photo_MOD_dodd_family_enlarged-2-257x300.jpg)
Arthur Dodd and Georgia Ayers Dodd with daughter Elizabeth, c. 1943. {pmss_photo_MOD_dodd_family_enlarged-2.jpg]
At the end of Georgia’s participation in this project, she married Arthur W. Dodd, Jr., formerly her supervisor. Dodd was a very eligible bachelor. A Berea College graduate, he had come to the School in 1932 from Julliard where he studied music and was an accomplished pianist. Glyn Morris added to his skills by asking him to serve the School’s music needs but also as the science and history teacher. Later, he served as business manager, interim acting director, and school principal.
Georgia, as his new wife, worked on the Pine Mountain staff as houseparent for junior-senior girls from 1939-1949 and during that time gave birth to two girls, Elizabeth Oaks (“Libby”) and Margaret Cresswell (“Margo”). When the girls entered school, she went back to work In 1950-1951, as director of the Hot Lunch Program for the Harlan County Community School then held on the Pine Mountain campus.
Following their marriage, Georgia and Dodd stayed on at the School for another 14 years, both strengthening the School’s programs with their skills and dedication and, at the same time, caring for her growing family. It is not surprising that the Dodd’s two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, born in 1943 and 1945 respectively at the School later chose careers in teaching.
Ganado, Arizona
June 1951 marked the end of the Dodd family’s stay at Pine Mountain when they relocated to Ganado Mission, located on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northern Arizona. There Georgia served the Ganado Public School System as Director of the Food Service Program for the elementary, middle school, and high school for the next 21 years, employing and supervising a staff of 18 mostly Navajo Indians.
Education
Ever developing her abilities, Georgia attended several schools throughout her working years: George Peabody Teachers’ College, Nashville, TN; Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff; University of Arizona, Tucson; and Arizona State University, Tempe. Like Arthur she never lost her appetite for learning.
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Georgia Ayers’ parents were Henry Gilmore Ayers (1894-1959) and Ethel Elizabeth Oaks Ayers (1983-1979). Georgia was born September 13, 1918, in Ewing (Lee County), Virginia. When in the second grade she moved with her family to the coal-mining village of Twila, Kentucky, just over the Pine Mountain from the School. She attended the local elementary school of Twila and followed that with her school years at Pine Mountain.
In later years, Georgia and Arthur Dodd settled in Johnson City, Tennessee, not far from the School or from both their families. Georgia was an active members of the First United Presbyterian Church in nearby Elizabethton, TN, where Dodd, also a member, served as the organist. She was also active at the local and county levels of the Extension Service of the University of Tennessee following her “retirement.”
GALLERY: GEORGIA AYERS DODD Student Staff
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- Georgia Ayers [Dodd] 14 [burkhard_neg_0014]
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- The Ayers sisters: Bonnie, Ruby Warren, Georgia Dodd, Joanne, Ellen Hayes, Evelyn. [nace_1_040a.jpg]
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- 07_2451 PMSS students, 1934-35. Georgia Ayers, Robert Collins, Howard Cochrane and others. [098_IX_students_07_2451_002.jpg]
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- 07_2451 George Malicoat, Howard Cochrane. Raymond, Fern Hall, Nan Milan, Georgia Ayers, Otis Adams, Hayes Bunch, James Morrissey, Ben Turner, Virgil Holbrook. [098_IX_students_07_2451_001.jpg]
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- 07_2452 Community Service Group. (from back) Lucille Christian, Georgia Ayers, Nan Milan, Nancy Jude, Stella Taylor. [098_IX_students_07_2452_004.jpg]
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- 07_2452 Community Service Group. 2452 (from back) Lucille Christian, Georgia Ayers, Nan Milan, Nancy Jude, Stella Taylor. [098_IX_students_07_2452_003.jpg]
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- 07_2452 Community Service Group. 2452 (from back) Lucille Christian, Georgia Ayers, Nan Milan, Nancy Jude, Stella Taylor. Community Service. [098_IX_students_07_2452_002.jpg]
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- 07_2452 Community Service Group. (from back) Lucille Christian, Georgia Ayers, Nan Milan, Nancy Jude, Stella Taylor. [098_IX_students_07_2452_001.jpg]
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- H.M.S. Pinafore Play. (From left) Elizabeth MItchell, Georgia Ayers Dodd, … (far right, Fern Hall ?), c. 1935. [cobb_alice_068.jpg]
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- 06_2447 Choir 1935. Alonzo Turner, Alene Malicote, James Morrisey, Beulah Shepherd, Ruth Christian, Joan Ayers, George Malicote, Georgia Ayers, Ben Turner, Tom Madon. [098_IX_students_06_2447_002.jpg]
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- PMSS Octet members, 1937. (l-r) Lucille Christian ; Fern Hall ; Lela Christian ; Nan Milan ; Georgia Ayers ; Ruth Christian ; Joan Ayers ; Ruby Ayers [octet_01a001_mod.jpg]
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- PMSS Octet members, 1937. (l-r) Georgia Dodd, Lucille Christian, Nan Milan, (seated) Fern Hall, Joan Ayers, Ruth Christian, Lela Christian, Ruby Ayers [pmss_octet0002a_mod]
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- Newspaper Clipping: Pine Mountain Settlement School Octet, 1937. [fern_0012.jpg]
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- 1936_mexico_048. Georgia Ayers.
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- 1936_mexico_046. Fern Hall and Georgia Dodd.
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- 1936_mexico_022. “Taxco.” Fern Hall and Georgia Ayers.
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- Paul Hayes & Mattie Ayers Wedding at PMSS, May 30, 1946. Georgia Dodd, John Hayes, Mattie Ayers Hayes, Paul Hayes. [burkh_010.jpg]
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- 101 Georgia Dodd at Chapel on her wedding day, 1940. [burk_people_101.jpg]
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- 002_21 Georgia and Arthur Dodd on their wedding day at Chapel, 1940. [burkhard_peo_001-21.jpg]
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- Georgia Ayers Dodd, Margaret and Elizabeth [Dodd] Summer, 1946. [nace_1_031a.jpg]
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- Arthur Dodd and Georgia Ayers Dodd with daughter Elizabeth, c. 1943. [pmss_photo_MOD_dodd_family_enlarged-2.jpg]
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- Georgia and Arthur Dodd with children, Margaret and Elizabeth Dodd, in front of Laurel House apartment where they lived. [X_100_workers_2656_mod.jpg]
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- Arthur and Georgia Dodd and daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth, at Ganado Mission School, Ganado, Arizona. [X_100_workers_2603f_mod.jpg]
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- Georgia Dodd holding Margaret Dodd, Steven Hayes, William Hayes, Fern Hayes at Quicksand, Robinson Harvest Festival, Breathitt County, Kentucky.
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- 48 Full PMSS Staff photograph. Bramlett Album II. Staff 1947: Kingsbury; Gladys Hill; H.R.S. Benjamin; Mrs. Benjamin; Peter Barry; Alice Cobb; Abbie Christensen; Willis; Sparrow; Dorothy La Rue; Glenn La Rue. Front row: Mr. Henderson; Dr. Henderson; Miss Cold; Dorothy Nace; Margaret Nace; Ruth Creech; Georgia Dodd ; Birdena Bishop. [ser_19_workers_misc_groups_0048.jpg]
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- 01 Bramlett Album II. Staff 1945: Dorothy and Glenn LaRue; Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin; Georgia Dodd with Margo in arms and Elizabeth; Bergstressen; Gladys Morris; Glyn Morris 49 [ser_19_workers_misc_groups_0049.jpg]
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- Staff at Laurel House, 1947. Bottom row: Dorothy Nace, Margaret Nace, Ruth Smith, Mrs. Georgia Dodd, Mrs. Birdena Bishop. Front row: Ronald Henderson, Elizabeth Henderson, Miss Cold, Mrs. Benjamin, Miss Cobb, Miss Christensen, Miss Spinney, Miss Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. LaRue, Back Row: Miss Kingsbury, Miss Hill, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Barry, Mrs. Willis, Miss Sparrow. [nace_1_038b.jpg]
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- Tea party at Country Cottage (Practice House) with (from left) Fern Hayes, (?Mrs Pishzak,) Gladys Hill, Edith Cold, Georgia Dodd, Mary Rogers, (?), Grace M. Rood. Grace Rood Album II. c.1942 [rood_115.jpg]
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- Country Cottage, interior view. Thanksgiving dinner for staff at the home of William and Fern Hayes. (Country Cottage). (left to right) Georgia Dodd, (?), Ella Wilder, Mr. H.R.S. Benjamin, Mrs. H.R.S. Benjamin, Steven Hayes (child), William Hayes carving turkey, Helen Hayes (child), Margaret Motter?, Brit Wilder, (?). c. 1945-46?.[X_100_workers_2644_mod.jpg]
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- 01_2432 “Gladys Morris, Clella Sergent, Mrs. Georgia Dodd.” [098_IX_students_01_2432_001.jpg]
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- Georgia (Ayers) Dodd [left] with Miss Edith Cold, October 1946. [[nace_1_036a.jpg]
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- Laurel House – 1940s. Georgia Dodd, Elizabeth, and Brennan [Scotty dog]. [nace_1_003a.jpg]
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- 1981 Homecoming Minutes, Three of the Octet members, “Lela Christian Meador, Georgia Ayers Dodd, Fern Hall Hayes.” [1981_pmss_alum_min_009.jpg]
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- “On the sidelines at George Washington Party 1948” Dorothy Nace, Fern Hayes. Mary Rogers, Georgia Dodd, Burton Rogers with Christopher. with list of names. [nace_II_album_102.jpg]
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- H.R.S. Benjamin and Mrs. Benjamin, 2nd and 3rd from left. Arthur Dodd and Georgia Dodd, far right. [cobb_alice_001.jpg]
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- Paul Hayes, Annie Hayes, Georgia Dodd, Fern Hayes, John Hayes, Mattie Ayers Hayes. [hayes_cabin_gatherings_006]
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- Georgia Ayers Dodd, Paul Hayes, Fern Hall Hayes, Mattie Ayers Hayes. [hayes_cabin_gatherings_005]
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- Georgia Ayers Dodd, Mattie Ayers Hayes. [hayes_cabin_gatherings_003]
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- Gathering at Hayes Cabin – Arthur Dodd, Annie Hayes, Georgia Dodd, Fern Hayes John Hayes, Mattie Ayers Hayes. [hayes_cabin_gatherings_001]
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- 2008 [?] 4 members of Girl’s Octet. Lela Christian Meador; Georgia Ayers Dodd; Fern Hall Hayes; Lucille Christian McKinney. [octet_last_01x.jpg]
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- 2008 [?] 4 members of Girl’s Octet. Lela Christian Meador; Georgia Ayers Dodd; Fern Hall Hayes; Lucille Christian McKinney. [octet_last_02x]
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Title |
Georgia Ayers Dodd |
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Alt. Title |
Georgia Ayers ; Georgia Dodd ; Mrs. Arthur W. Dodd |
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Identifier |
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Creator |
Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY |
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Alt. Creator |
Ann Angel Eberhardt ; Helen Hayes Wykle ; |
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Subject Keyword |
Georgia Ayers Dodd ; Pine Mountain Settlement School ; Georgia Ayers ; Georgia Dodd ; Pine Mountain Settlement School students ; PMSS Octet ; community workers ; Arthur W. Dodd ; housemothers ; Hot Lunch Program ; Ganado (Arizona) Mission ; dietitians ; Joanna Ayers ; Ruby Ayers ; Community Group ; Elizabeth Oaks Dodd ; Margaret Cresswell Dodd ; Henry Gilmore Ayers ; Ethel Elizabeth Oaks Ayers ; |
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Subject LCSH |
Dodd, Georgia Ayers — September 13, 1918 – 2003 |
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Date |
2016-05-24 |
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Publisher |
Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY |
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Contributor |
n/a |
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Type |
Collections ; text ; image ; |
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Format |
Original and copies of documents and correspondence in file folders in filing cabinet |
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Source |
Series 19: Students ; Series 09: Staff/Personnel |
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Language |
English |
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Relation |
Is related to: Pine Mountain Settlement School Collections, Series 19: Students and Series 09: Staff/Personnel |
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Coverage Temporal |
1918 – 2003 |
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Coverage Spatial |
Pine Mountain, KY ; Harlan County, KY ; Nashville, TN ; Ganado, AZ ; Flagstaff, AZ ; Tucson, AZ ; Tempe, AZ ; Ewing, VA ; Twila, KY ; Johnson City, TN ; Elizabethton, TN ; |
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Rights |
Any display, publication, or public use must credit the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. |
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Donor |
n/a |
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Description |
Core documents, correspondence, writings, and administrative papers of Georgia Ayers Dodd ; clippings, photographs, books by or about Georgia Ayers Dodd ; |
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Acquisition |
n/d |
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Citation |
“[Identification of Item],” [Collection Name] [Series Number, if applicable]. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. |
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Processed By |
Helen Hayes Wykle ; Ann Angel Eberhardt ; |
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Last Updated |
2016-05-23 aae ; 2016-05-25 hhw ; 2016-06-05 hhw ; 2016-06-17 aae ; 2021-06-20 hhw; 2022-02-02 hhw ; 2022-08-26 aae ; |
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Bibliography |
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK12-RYTC : accessed 24 May 2016), Henry Gilmore Ayers, 1959 and Ethel Elizabeth Oaks Ayers (1979) ; Burial, Rosspoint, Harlan, Kentucky, United States of America, Rose Lawn Cemetery; citing record ID 146597815, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. Internet resource. Guide to Students at PMSS. Series 19: Students. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. Internet resource. Staff Directory 1913– . Series 09: Staff/Personnel. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. Internet resource. Bibliography Spears, Harold. The Emerging High-School Curriculum and Its Direction. New York: American Book Co, 1948. Print. |
Return To:
BIOGRAPHY – A-Z
See Also:
PMSS GIRLS’ OCTET 1936-1937
Biographies:
ARTHUR W. DODD Biography
BONNIE AYERS Student
ELLEN “MATTIE” AYERS HAYES Student Staff
JOANNA (JOAN) AYERS Student Staff
RUBY AYERS Student
