Sadie Mae Dudley McGhee (1906-2001) was born in Batesville, Virginia. She married Orma McGhee in 1930 and was the mother of two daughters, Mary and Martha. This registered nurse began her community volunteer work in the 1960s.
She was an instructor of home nursing for the American Red Cross, assisted in establishing special education criteria for Cabell County Schools, organized the Cabell County Council for Retarded Children, organized the West Virginia Association for Retarded Children and was West Virginia Woman of the Year in 1965.
McGhee was the Director of Camp Galahad (camp for disabled children), served on the Governor's Advisory Committee on Mental Retardation and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She worked tirelessly to make life better for those with disabilities. With persistence and inspirational leadership, she built a remarkable record of achievements.
However, one accomplishment stands above all of the others in her long career of humanitarian service, and that is the Green Acres Regional Center. Green Acres is a regional center for the care and training of developmentally disabled individuals. It is a successful private, nonprofit agency which remains in full-service today. She was honored by then Governor John D. Rockefeller, IV, receiving the 1982 Outstanding West Virginian Award.
