Valerie Lott

After being inspired by Dr. Patton’s remarkable commitment to advancing civil rights, Valerie Lott is pursuing a legal career. Before attending law school at Elon University School of Law, Valerie was inspired by young minds in the elementary and middle schools in which she taught. Valerie holds a degree in secondary English Education from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Education in Community Development and Action from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She first heard Dr. Patton speak about his experience as a Freedom Rider on a class visit to the Nashville Public Library during her time at Vanderbilt. Her friendship with Dr. Patton grew as the two met over bagels and coffee and taught a civil rights curriculum to middle schoolers. Valerie grew up in VA, the oldest of three sisters, and currently calls NC home, where she lives with her husband and 2 sheepdogs. She can most often be spotted in children’s bookstores or searching for a great donut shop.