Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) is proud to announce the induction of Dorothy Kendall Kearns into the North Carolina Educational Hall of Fame. Kearns was a lifelong advocate for public education and civic engagement, whose leadership helped shape communities across the Piedmont Triad and the state.
Kearns attended the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina—now known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)—where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in education.
A trailblazer in public service, Kearns became the first woman elected to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and later served as its chair. She also served on the Boards of Education for the former High Point City Schools and the consolidated Guilford County Schools
Her dedication to education and community leadership earned her numerous honors, including the Outstanding Service Award from the North Carolina League of Women Voters and North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. She also received the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions toward building communities free of bias, bigotry, and racism.
Kerns passed away on October 20, 2025 at 94.
“Dorothy ‘Dot’ Kearns was a remarkable woman who fought for her community through education and civic engagement," said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. "Her work helped build a better future not only for the Piedmont Triad, but for North Carolina as a whole. We are proud to honor her legacy and lasting impact.”
