Women's Forum Oral History Collection Interview Index

Betty Landon Ray McCain was born February 23, 1931 and grew up in Duplin County, North Carolina. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was a teacher. McCain's work in politics began with Terry Sanford's run for governor in 1960. She began working with Jim Hunt in 1966 and worked on his campaigns for governor and the United States Senate. In 1976, McCain became the first woman to chair the North Carolina Democratic Party. McCain headed Governor Hunt's ERA committee during the 1982 fight for ratification. Hunt later appointed McCain as Secretary of Cultural Resources in 1993, a position she would hold until 2001. During her time as Secretary of Cultural Resources, McCain oversaw the construction of the new building for the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh, as well as the dedication of the USS North Carolina in Wilmington. In her role as Secretary, she also secured additional land for the North Carolina Museum of Art. Later in life, McCain was involved with the organization Lillian's List, which recruits and supports women in politics. McCain passed away in November 2022 at her home in Wilson, North Carolina.