A couple of weekends ago in Franklin, a roadside marker was unveiled and dedicated to the memory of Pauline Cauthorne Morton.

Morton was the home economics teacher at Paul D. Camp Community College, and she also was a board member at the community college. Her service to education extended far past Suffolk and surrounding areas.

She served as an officer in the Statewide Home Economics Association. She also served as president of the Virginia State University Human Ecology Alumni Chapter and president of the Old Dominion Home Economics Association.

She served on the boards of more than 23 organizations throughout Suffolk, Western Tidewater and beyond.

Appropriately, the familiar, silver-colored plaque was mounted between two landmarks: Paul D. Camp Community College and the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library, both on North College Drive.

Each is dedicated to a trait that helped define Morton’s character and life’s mission, which was an unquenchable desire to learn.

The plaque and service were organized by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., which was also fitting since that organization is likewise dedicated to scholarship.

The group was well represented by the Lambda Psi Omega chapter in Franklin and Southampton, and the Zeta Epsilon Omega chapter from Suffolk; Morton was, not surprisingly, a founding member of both.

During the preceding ceremony, speaker after speaker got up to reminisce about Morton, each noting her devotion to education as well as social activism. To hear Morton spoken about so lovingly was enough to make a person wish that they had at met her at least once.

Despite the marker’s placement in Franklin, Morton had a profound impact on Suffolk as well, and we’re very grateful the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters saw fit to honor her.

Reflecting on Morton’s service brings to mind that Western Tidewater needs more women — and men — such as Morton; people to inspire others to achieving greatness through education and service.