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Teacher, arts advocate, cancer center benefactor. These are just a few of the words to describe Dorothy C. Pearlman’s long life. A few of the ways which she influenced, inspired and changed Valdosta for the better.
Dorothy Pearlman died last week at the age of 94. Though she spent her last days living with her son in Knoxville, Tenn., her impact will continue to be felt in South Georgia for years to come.
With her husband, Sidney Pearlman, who died several years ago, Dorothy Pearlman was instrumental in establishing the Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission, which eventually became the umbrella organization of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.
It is this couple’s name that greets patients and families as they enter the Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center at South Georgia Medical Center.
Dorothy Pearlman was able to make some of these things possible thanks to she and her husband’s generosity in putting their money where their beliefs were.
But the example of Dorothy Pearlman’s life runs deeper than monetary donations.
An advocate of the arts, the legend claims Dorothy Pearlman ran an arts center from the back of her car before LVAC found its pre-Turner Center home in a former office building near Valdosta State.
As a teacher, she inspired numerous students in the arts and academics. She influenced a new generation of area teachers, artists and leaders.
You see, Dorothy Pearlman didn’t just believe in ideas and causes. She believed in people, too. Her life continues to influence and inspire through those whose lives have been changed by the people whose lives she changed.
What We Think
The ripple effect of Dorothy Pearlman
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THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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New school scoring system
The first year of any new program is always a tough one.
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