Pearl Carter Pace
Encyclopedia
Pearl Carter Pace was the first woman elected sheriff
in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
. Pearl Carter had been born into a Tompkinsville
, Kentucky, family devoted to public service. She married Stanley Dan Pace, owner of a profitable roadbuilding company and moved to neighboring Cumberland County
.
Research indicates that Pearl Carter Pace had a great philosophy
of life: "Anybody can do anything he wants if he just wants enough to make the effort."
This philosophy took her into areas of life largely uncharted for rural
, southern women. Of all her accomplishments, perhaps none catapulted her to fame more than her tenure as Cumberland County Sheriff, a position she held from 1937–1941. Although other American women had served in this capacity, Pace was the first Kentucky woman—and perhaps the first in the nation—to be elected to the post.
According to written accounts, Pace's husband, Stanley Dan Pace, had been "drafted" in 1933 to run for Cumberland County Sheriff by county citizens determined to control rum-running
and organized crime
during prohibition
. He was elected—the first Democrat
to hold that office since the 19th century. When his term ended, he was unable to succeed himself, so Pearl was drafted to run and was elected. Stan Pace died in a car accident, leaving Pearl Carter Pace to raise their children and to pursue her career in local, state, and national politics.
Pearl Carter Pace's father, James C. Carter, had served for forty years as Circuit Judge in South Central Kentucky. Pearl Carter Pace's and U.S. Congressman/Physician Tim Lee Carter
's brother, James C. Carter, Jr., also served for forty years as Circuit Judge in South Central Kentucky, following in the footsteps of their father.
During World War II
, Pearl's son Stanley Carter Pace, a fighter pilot
and first Lieutenant
, was taken as a prisoner of war
by the German Reich. Upon returning from the war, Stan Pace put his aerospace engineering
degree to work and later rose to the Chairmanship of TRW
. After being pulled out of retirement in the 1980s, Stan Pace took up the job of restoring the giant defense contractor General Dynamics
to credibility after grievous ethical lapses brought the company to the verge of dissolution.
Through Pearl Carter Pace's activism in the Republican
party, she became a tireless supporter, as well as a dear and close friend of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
. In 1953 she brought national attention to Kentucky when President Eisenhower appointed her to the War Claims Commission (later the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
). Near the end of his administration, Eisenhower elevated her to Commission chairman, making Pearl Carter Pace the second highest ranking woman in his administration, next only to the Treasurer, and the first Kentucky woman appointed by a President to a national post.
Pearl Carter Pace was born in Tompkinsville in 1896. She became a school teacher
; was a wife and mother; ran a successful business; and became very active in politics, serving in many local and state Republican Party positions and as the Republican National Committeewoman for Kentucky from 1948 to 1957.
Pearl Carter Pace died in 1970 at the home of her daughter, Patty-Nell Pace Keen in Burkesville
. Pace's son-in-law, M.C. "Doc" Keen, was a sheriff and county judge of Cumberland County
and ran unsuccessfully in the May 29, 1973, Republican primary for the Kentucky State Senate, having lost to Doug Moseley
, a United Methodist minister. Pace is interred beside her husband at the former Pace-Allen Cemetery (now Grider Memorial) in Waterview in Cumberland County at a site overlooking Pace Farms.
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. Pearl Carter had been born into a Tompkinsville
Tompkinsville, Kentucky
Tompkinsville is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,660 at the 2000 census. The city was named after Vice President Daniel D...
, Kentucky, family devoted to public service. She married Stanley Dan Pace, owner of a profitable roadbuilding company and moved to neighboring Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Kentucky
Cumberland County is a county located in the state of Kentucky in the United States. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,147. Its county seat is Burkesville, Kentucky...
.
Research indicates that Pearl Carter Pace had a great philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
of life: "Anybody can do anything he wants if he just wants enough to make the effort."
This philosophy took her into areas of life largely uncharted for rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
, southern women. Of all her accomplishments, perhaps none catapulted her to fame more than her tenure as Cumberland County Sheriff, a position she held from 1937–1941. Although other American women had served in this capacity, Pace was the first Kentucky woman—and perhaps the first in the nation—to be elected to the post.
According to written accounts, Pace's husband, Stanley Dan Pace, had been "drafted" in 1933 to run for Cumberland County Sheriff by county citizens determined to control rum-running
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
and organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
during prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
. He was elected—the first Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to hold that office since the 19th century. When his term ended, he was unable to succeed himself, so Pearl was drafted to run and was elected. Stan Pace died in a car accident, leaving Pearl Carter Pace to raise their children and to pursue her career in local, state, and national politics.
Pearl Carter Pace's father, James C. Carter, had served for forty years as Circuit Judge in South Central Kentucky. Pearl Carter Pace's and U.S. Congressman/Physician Tim Lee Carter
Tim Lee Carter
Tim Lee Carter was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for the commonwealth of Kentucky from 1965 till 1981.-Background:...
's brother, James C. Carter, Jr., also served for forty years as Circuit Judge in South Central Kentucky, following in the footsteps of their father.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Pearl's son Stanley Carter Pace, a fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
and first Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
, was taken as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
by the German Reich. Upon returning from the war, Stan Pace put his aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
degree to work and later rose to the Chairmanship of TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
. After being pulled out of retirement in the 1980s, Stan Pace took up the job of restoring the giant defense contractor General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
to credibility after grievous ethical lapses brought the company to the verge of dissolution.
Through Pearl Carter Pace's activism in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
party, she became a tireless supporter, as well as a dear and close friend of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
. In 1953 she brought national attention to Kentucky when President Eisenhower appointed her to the War Claims Commission (later the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States is a quasi-judicial, independent agency within the U.S. Department of Justice which adjudicates claims of U.S. nationals against foreign governments, either under specific jurisdiction conferred by Congress or pursuant to international...
). Near the end of his administration, Eisenhower elevated her to Commission chairman, making Pearl Carter Pace the second highest ranking woman in his administration, next only to the Treasurer, and the first Kentucky woman appointed by a President to a national post.
Pearl Carter Pace was born in Tompkinsville in 1896. She became a school teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
; was a wife and mother; ran a successful business; and became very active in politics, serving in many local and state Republican Party positions and as the Republican National Committeewoman for Kentucky from 1948 to 1957.
Pearl Carter Pace died in 1970 at the home of her daughter, Patty-Nell Pace Keen in Burkesville
Burkesville, Kentucky
Burkesville is a city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Appalachia and bordered by the Cumberland River to the south and east, it is the county seat of Cumberland County...
. Pace's son-in-law, M.C. "Doc" Keen, was a sheriff and county judge of Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Kentucky
Cumberland County is a county located in the state of Kentucky in the United States. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,147. Its county seat is Burkesville, Kentucky...
and ran unsuccessfully in the May 29, 1973, Republican primary for the Kentucky State Senate, having lost to Doug Moseley
Doug Moseley
Douglas Dewayne Moseley, known as Doug Moseley , is a retired United Methodist minister and author who served as a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1974 to 1986...
, a United Methodist minister. Pace is interred beside her husband at the former Pace-Allen Cemetery (now Grider Memorial) in Waterview in Cumberland County at a site overlooking Pace Farms.
External links
- [www.wku.edu/library/c&c/f1997/p1f97.htm]