February 28, 2007

Social worker and community leader Lillian McDermott was known by many in the first half of the twentieth century as the “dean of social workers.” A graduate of Galloway Female College in Searcy (White County), McDermott began her public career during World War I when she was appointed the assistant Pulaski County probation officer. She later became the county’s chief probation officer and served as juvenile court referee for almost fifteen years. She remained active in community affairs most of her life. In 1961, just four years before her death, she was selected as the Woman of the Year in Greater Little Rock.