Dr. Bailey held a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics education from Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, a Master of Science in home economics education from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in higher education from The Ohio State University. Dr. Bailey’s professional life was dedicated to home economics education. She began her career in 1954, as a biology and home economics teacher in Kentucky’s Pike County Schools. Four years later, Dr. Bailey became a home economics teacher in central Ohio’s South-Western City School district, where she worked for three years. Her next, and final career move, was to The Ohio State University, where she advanced to become the Dean of the College of Human Ecology, a collegiate career that lasted from 1961 until her retirement in 1992.
In 1983, OSU separated home economics from the College of Agriculture, creating the College of Human Ecology. Dr. Bailey was instrumental in helping to move this process forward, and was named dean of the new college. She was highly regarded by both staff and students, and actively served on many university committees during her tenure. During this time, the College of Human Ecology grew in importance and popularity. It soon became one of the top ranked programs in the country, and Dr. Bailey was in demand to consult with universities all around the world.
In 1990, Dr. Bailey was inducted in the University of Kentucky’s College of Education Hall of Fame. UK also awarded her their Outstanding Alumnus Award for her commitment of home economics education and her efforts to increase student diversity within the field. Dr. Bailey believed that all students, regardless of ethnic background should have the opportunity to learn skills to be leaders in their communities.
Dr. Bailey was involved with and held several national offices in several professional associations, including the American Home Economics Association, Association of Administrators of Home Economics, and the National Association of Home Economics Teacher Educators. Within the State of Ohio she was the president of the Ohio Home Economics Association and the 1991 winner of the William H. Watson Jr. Memorial Award, presented by OSU’s University College.
Dr. Bailey passed away on October 11, 1996. Posthumously, her widow, George, honored her memory with several generous gifts and endowed scholarships to the universities and colleges his wife attended. The Ohio State University honored Dr. Bailey by establishing a highly regarded lecture series. The University of Kentucky’s College of Education named its faculty lounge in Dr. Lena C. Bailey’s name, and Pikeville College honored her through the creation of an education curriculum center.