Ruth M. Pauley (1909 - 1986) moved to Moore County in 1978 after her retirement from a distinguished career in social work in the United States and abroad. Here she continued working for many professional and community interests through numerous volunteer activities. In 1982, Governor Hunt named her the volunteer of the year of Moore County.

Her career began with positions in local social service agencies and the Social Security Regional Office in Cleveland. She also worked in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in Washington, DC as an international consultant, and the Boston Regional Office of the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare as a consultant to the New England States.

Miss Pauley was deeply committed to the cause of world peace. In 1983, she chaired a committee working with the local AAUW and Sandhills Community College to organize a series of six free lectures by nationally recognized authorities who presented the pros and cons of the arms race.

These lectures were well-attended and warmly revived by the community. They provided the incentive for the beginning of the lecture series.