2007 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Dr. George W. Paschal, Jr.,

and Beth C. Paschal

Dr. George W. Paschal, Jr., and Beth C. Paschal are best known for their work in medicine and visual arts. They met in Philadelphia where George was studying surgery and teaching at Jefferson Medical College. Beth had come to Philadelphia as associate editor for The Farm Journal. They married in 1944 when he was on leave from the Army.

Two years later the couple moved to Raleigh and immediately embraced their new hometown. Dr. Paschal, a widely respected surgeon and native of nearby Wake Forest, established a solo practice that he maintained for more than three decades. Mrs. Paschal, an Iowan by birth, joined the Junior League, which led her to volunteer at the emerging North Carolina Museum of Art.

In the 1960s, both professional medical practice and patient care were still segregated. Dr. Paschal, actively involved in the all-white North Carolina Medical Society, became its President in 1965. In this capacity, he persuaded like-minded colleagues to open membership to every qualified physician. This act had great impact on both doctors and patients and encouraged many young minority students to pursue a career in medicine. In 1989, Paschal was honored by the Old North State Medical Society for his courageous efforts to help the traditionally black organization achieve equality within the medical profession.

At the same time Dr. Paschal was President of the North Carolina Medical Society, his wife was President of the North Carolina Art Society. Elected to the board in 1959, Mrs. Paschal was involved with the museum before it even opened its doors. Her volunteer work took her into city schools, where she showed slides and prepared children for their visit to see the collection. This orientation program was one of many inspired programs she helped initiate. She continues to volunteer at the museum and still serves on the board, now as an emeritus trustee. She has received many accolades from the Art Society and North Carolina Museum of Art, was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women in 1983 and received the Raleigh Medal of Arts in 1986.

Together, the Paschals supported libraries. Dr. Paschal was a contributor to several college libraries, with a particular fondness for his alma mater Wake Forest University, where he established a significant fund for library acquisitions. Mrs. Paschal joined the Board of Friends of the Library at North Carolina State University and as its President, worked vigorously to help the library reach the million-book mark, making the university eligible for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

The Paschals are a unique Raleigh couple having contributed to our community each in their own way. Dr. Paschal died in 1995 having left his mark on the medical community. Mrs. Paschal continues to be an ardent promoter of the arts and education.

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For more information, please write:

Raleigh Hall of Fame
PO Box 6128, Raleigh, NC 27628-6128

Or email information@raleighhalloffame.org or call (919) 787-9617.