Sisters Martha Browning Dicus, ’71, and Mary Woodley (Woody) Dicus, ’74, loved Meredith College, the friendships they made, and the education they received. Friends say they were leaders and beloved by their classmates. Rhett Dunaway, Martha’s partner, and Billy Dicus, their brother, have recently endowed the Dicus Sisters’ Scholarship in their memories to honor and celebrate their lives.

“They were two of the proudest graduates of Meredith and cherished their time on campus,” said Billy. “Their personalities were different, but their mannerisms were identical. They complemented each other and spoke almost every day.” 

After graduation, Martha began her lifelong commitment to helping those in need. A religion and sociology major, she became a social worker in Raleigh but ultimately decided to go to law school at the University of South Carolina. After graduating in 1978, she worked at the public defender’s office in Columbia, S.C., but an opportunity in 1981 led her to work with Native Americans on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. After returning to South Carolina, her work for various legal services began, and eventually Martha became a senior staff attorney in the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office, where she worked until her passing in 2012. She was recognized nationally as a leader in restorative justice. She received the American Bar Association’s award as Best Public Defender in the Country, and Meredith College’s Outstanding Alumna Award, among others. Martha also served on the faculty at Yale Law School and was named a Wasserstein Fellow by Harvard Law School.

“Martha was more interested in helping someone keep their apartment versus policy. After her summer internship in a public defender’s office, she was struck by the devotion and skill of the lawyers and what they did for individuals,” said Rhett. “I met Martha when she came to work in the Charleston Public Defender’s Office. I am also a lawyer. I was good but not as good as she was! She was completely authentic, loved work, and cared about her clients as people.” 

Woody majored in American Civilization and after graduating in 1974, she trained as a paralegal and taught at King’s Business College before beginning a career that lasted 25 years at Carolina Power and Light Company, later Progress Energy. 

In 1987, she earned a master of business administration from Meredith. When she retired in 2012, she was the manager of corporate community relations for Progress Energy. In that role, she worked with organizations throughout N.C. and in all areas served by the company to conduct community-building programs and activities.

“Working for the same company your whole career is unheard of now. She worked hard and loved her career,” said Billy. “I always said she had a fun job. A lot of public relations and community engagement responsibilities. She was in charge of the suite in PNC Arena for her company for the Carolina Hurricanes games.”

Rhett says Martha and Woody were both fantastic hostesses, but Woody was also a fabulous cook. Woody, who lived in Raleigh, had a multitude of friends she enjoyed entertaining and each year had a children’s Christmas party, Christmas Day breakfast, and New Year’s party. She would have parties simply because too much time had lapsed between seeing friends. She enjoyed trips to the beach and mountains with friends, playing golf, attending sporting events, and just wanted to have people together. 

“Woody paid attention to others. She really made time to entertain and spend time with Meredith and Raleigh friends. Let’s face it, we all have time to do this if we make time, but she really invested the time to be with those she loved,” said Billy. 

Martha will forever be remembered for sending cards and gifts to people. You met her once and she knew you. Her cards and notes, written with a pink highlighter, were known as “Marthagrams.” She could be seen with a pink bow in her hair and pearls. And each year Rhett and her friends continue to celebrate her birthday. A pink invitation invites you to remember Martha and do some of the things she loved, like look at the stars at night, float in the ocean, take a mentee to lunch, eat a cheese straw or pimento cheese sandwich, or do something simple to help your community, just to list a few. 

These two sisters have a brother and partner who remember them fondly as well as many friends. They were strong women in their work, their love of life, and their ability to care for others. 

Rhett and Billy encourage all who knew Martha and Woody to consider making a gift to the scholarship endowment fund. 

“They would be so happy we have established this scholarship because they had the best experience at Meredith,” said Billy. “What a way to honor them by considering a gift to the endowment we started. This scholarship will give preference to students who plan to pursue a career in business, social work, or public interest law. I think Martha and Woody would be pleased to see Meredith students walk in their footsteps one day.”