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Hi, I'm Dr. Eneida Pugh. My profession in education began in 1964 when I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree
in Spanish/Education. After receiving my MAT degree from Purdue University I entered the Peace Corps, practically at its inception,
and lived in the Dominican Republic for two years. My Ph.D. degree is from Florida State University in Spanish Literature.
My family belongs to one of the largest Native American tribes east of the Mississippi-the Lumbee. Our presence dates
from the earliest recorded history in this country. Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony of 1587 had a passenger manifest that
recorded 117 settlers-one day they disappeared-hence the consideration of the colony as lost.
My relatives reflect the names recorded among those early settlers and a visit to my place of birth, Pembroke, NC, provides
you with an unexpected variety of faces, colors, and a unique way of speaking.
According to history and local lore, a friendly tribe of Native Americans took care of the starving early settlers and
eventually incorporated them into their culture.
One of my descendants, Henry Berry Lowry, is considered to be one of the first civil rights activists in the United Staates
for minorities. He was imitated by Jesse James, pursued by the US and NC state governments, and had the largest bounty placed
on his head, dead or alive, by national and state officials during the late 19th century. Until the mid 1950s the inhabitants
of Pembroke spoke with an Elizabethan accent-it is steadily losing its influence due to the presence of TV, videos, and films.
If you are interested in reading more about our history and current activities see the link on the home page for the Lumbees.
I began teaching at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA in 1982 and recently retired in June of 2008.
My husband and I enjoy traveling to different countries so that we can meet new people, experience different cultures,
and expand our linguistic abilities. We have traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico, Russia, Hungary, Spain, Guatemala, El Salvador,
Bermuda, Canada, Argentina, Chile and in December 2008 we traveled to the Antarctica and experienced the joy of sailing through
the strait of Magellan.
For me, monolingualism is a horrid state of non-existence because it creates a division between people and their cultures.
Sentient beings have the innate need to communicate, to reach out to others, and to experience life and its myriad mysteries.
What better way to accomplish and fulfill these desires other than through communication, whether it be in the plastic arts,
the written word,or, best of all, in face to face verbal exchanges where we can see, listen, and even touch our conversation
partner.
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