| Mary Scales honored by school for her many firsts |
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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
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Posted: Sunday, September 28, 2008 7:02 am
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Mary Caruthers Scales has experienced many firsts in her life.
She was the first black female elected to the Murfreesboro City Council.
She was the first black professor at MTSU.
She was part of the first and only couple to have a city school named after her.
Scales Elementary was named for her and her late husband Robert “Tee-niny” Scales for their years of service on the city school board and Murfreesboro City Council, as well as their tireless dedication to the children of the city.
“We named the school after her and her husband, because they did everything to advance the welfare of the children in this city,” Director of Schools Marilyn Mathis said.
In fact, it’s hard to speak of Scales and not mention her husband.
Robert “Tee-niny” Scales also saw many firsts in his lifetime. He was the first black Murfreesboro City Councilman and the first black vice mayor of Murfreesboro.
Even though he died in 2000, his impact on the Murfreesboro community can still be seen every day. He was positive figure in the community and helped prevent the conflicts seen in other southern towns during integration.
The couple led the way for the community by breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings and communicating in kindness.
Madelyn Scales Harris summed up her mother’s life lessons of helping people, loving God and realizing it’s not always about you.
“She led by example,” Harris said.
The first place she exemplified leadership was in the classroom.
She taught middle school math at Bradley and Bellwood and worked in the administration of city schools before taking a job as a professor at MTSU, where she taught in the education department and served as associate dean of Continuing Education. Scales also worked as a math specialist for the state of Tennessee Department of Education.
She was inducted to the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame at MTSU in 2001 for her years of service to the children of Murfreesboro.
“Mary Scales has always been a superb spokesperson for children – all children in our community,” said Nancy Duggin, current Murfreesboro School Board member.
Mathis remembers Scales as a board member who had the interests of the children in her heart with every vote she made.
Murfreesboro City Councilman Ron Washington, whom Scales taught in the eighth grade, said she had a positive impact on every child she taught with her “strong leadership and avid support for children” and teaching students they are important.
“She helped prepare young African-American kids in the early years and always stressed high achievement,” Washington said.
The most important thing people can do in their lives is help a child, Scales said at her 80th birthday celebration at Scales Elementary on Wednesday.
“Helping children, that’s what is going to make America great,” Scales said. “They are the future and we should do everything we can to help them.”
Scales said she gets a special feeling every time she enters a school and wants to jump right back into the classroom.
“Whenever I see children,” she said at her birthday party, pausing to smile and look around at the gathered children. “Nothing could ever be better than this.”
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com. |
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