Albert Gore Research Center

Louise Mott Miles

Progressive Women’s History

Louise Fairbanks Mott was born November 8, 1907 in Smyrna, Tennessee. She graduated from Smyrna High School in 1924, and attended Tennessee College for Women before transferring to Middle Tennessee State Teachers College (now Middle Tennessee State University).

Her first year at MTSTC she met her future husband, Kenneth Brooks Miles, who graduated in 1926. She graduated in 1928 and they married the next year. Both worked at Central High School in Nashville, with Kenneth coaching football and Louise teaching math and home economics. Kenneth passed away in 1972, while Louise carried on until April 12, 2009, living to 101 years of age.

This web exhibit is an extension of a physical exhibit installed at the Albert Gore Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University in April 2013 and of a project completed by graduate student Kayla Utendorf for HIST 6220, Public Programming for Museums and Archives, Spring 2013. It focuses on topics that affected Louise to tell her story and the stories of women of her time. The exhibit includes themes of Women in Higher Education, Home Economics, and Preserving Memory, all which were important aspects of Louise’s life.