Kitty Carrow Rutherford was recently inducted into the State of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Roy Cooper. Among the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor of North Carolina, it is awarded to people for exemplary service to the state and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty, and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.

Kitty joins such a select company as Dr. Billy Graham, Andy Griffith and Sam Ervin, with recognition as an “Ambassador Extraordinary.” She recently retired from the Department of Public Instruction with 30 years of service as a teacher and administrator in the North Carolina Public School System. Kitty is the daughter of Carolyn Carrow and the late J.W. Carrow and is a native of Washington.