Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1995

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Curriculum and Instruction

Major Professor

Joy T. DeSensi, Mary Joan Paul

Committee Members

Clinton B. Allison, Kermit Blank

Abstract

Mildred Eloise Doyle (1904-1989) is best remembered by residents of Knox County, Tennessee as superintendent of the public school system for 30 years--from 1946-1976. With her father's support and political color coupled with her own visionary determination, she was elected superintendent, attaining the unthinkable in both a time period and a field where men were the leaders and traditional roles for women reigned supreme. During her tenure, the salty "Miss Doyle" transformed an antiquated postwar school system into one with updated physical facilities, innovative curricula and better educated teachers, offering an overall environment much more conducive to learning. In the process, the charismatic Mildred Doyle became a well- respected and powerful educational leader and politician through her uncanny ability to communicate with a broad spectrum of people, her down-home sense of humor, and her accessibility to the public. Despite her scalding temper accompanied by strong language which could prove intimidating, her "big presence" gained enormous popularity over the years as she exhibited tireless dedication to public service until the time of her death.

Mildred Doyle's life exemplifies what can happen when a woman follows instincts without falling prey to the limitations that often accompany societal expectations for women, She never, however, adopted a publicly critical stance toward the patriarchal power elite. Rather, she necessarily joined it herself in order to realize her ultimate potential as an educator and child advocate. Mildred Doyleamassed enough support of her own to move up the political ladder despite possible limitations posed by her gender. However, she chose to remain in education.

Miss Doyle lived by the only script that made sense to her, ignoring gender convention for the most part-not because she was an ardent feminist or because she disagreed with socially expected roles for women, but because she had difficulty ascribing to them at the personal level. However, by her very existence, she did much to further possibilities for women. Mildred Doyle served as a role model for women who do not fit traditional social patterns with respect to gender role expectations. She demonstrated that it is indeed possible to be a successful, respected, and unmarried female educational administrator and politician. Her experience with gender constructs serves to highlight the importance of tapping into one's complete potential, regardless of whether gender norms are violated. She clearly crossed gender lines without apology, and apparently without self- consciousness. Her life illuminates contradictions inherent in the social construction of gender, suggesting the importance of recognizing life-models built upon pure instinct which surpass gender as a limiting social construct.

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