07/25/2023
Dr. Mary Martin Sloop (1873-1962) is the namesake of the 2024 National Junior Doll, Miss Mary Martin. Dr. Sloop and her husband founded the Crossnore School in 1913 in the NC Mountains in Avery County. In those days, the town of Crossnore was small and educational and heath care services were limited. The DAR's support of the program began in 1924 and Dr Sloop founded the Crossnore Chapter NSDAR in 1931 (outfit made by Regent, Gayle Culbreath). In 1951, Dr. Sloop was named America's Mother of the Year. Recommended reading: Miracle in the Hills by Legette Blythe, 1953, autobiography and personal memoir of Dr. Sloop. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/sloop-mary
