WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Leggett a leader with Hamlet’s Seaboard Festival, promoting oral hygiene

Our featured leading lady today is another multi-talented leader who prefers to stay in the background. Richmond Senior High School Class of 1995 graduate Diane Leggett is one of those leaders whose presence is not nearly as noticeable as her absence would be.

Without this super-organized, efficient leader, one of Hamlet’s favorite annual traditions — the Seaboard Festival — that has put the historic railroad community on a national map would have not been possible in the past few years.  

Although she was born in Hawaii, Leggett has lived in Richmond County since 1980. She graduated in 2004 from Coastal Carolina Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and N.C. Child Care credentials I and II. She holds a dental hygiene license in both North and South Carolina and is a member of N.C. Caring Dental Professionals and the American Dental Hygienist Association. In the past 18 years, she has worked in Richmond, Scotland and Moore counties as a dental hygienist and is currently making smiles brighter at Olmsted Village Dental Care in Pinehurst, where she is also the OSHA coordinator. She is also a part-time hygienist in McColl, South Carolina. 

Since 2018, Leggett has been the go-to lady for vendors from all over the country to secure their spots at the annual celebration of the community’s railroad history on the last Saturday of October. She stepped into the enormous role of being the vice president of the Seaboard Festival Planning Committee in 2019 and has become almost a one-woman show in organizing the countless aspects of planning the festival.

From overseeing all vendor applications, mapping out the vendor spots, scheduling entertainment, kids activities, decorations, and so much more, Leggett and the committee work diligently the entire year, meeting once a month, planning the special day. Chris Carpenter, president of the committee, refers to her as the backbone of the festival and says she has the most difficult and time-consuming role of handling all things vendor related: “With 120 plus vendors, who come with different personalities, needs, wants, and, sometimes, demands, Diane’s role is invaluable.” 

Along with her dental work and being the backbone of the Seaboard Festival, Leggett is a passionate advocate for maintaining good oral health. She volunteers at local elementary schools, with mobile dental units in underserved communities, and the ADA’s Give Kids a Smile program to provide oral hygiene education and services. 

Leggett has two children, Kayley and Cody Mabe, and is married to Bryan Leggett. She loves to to travel and is often counting down the days until her next cruise. 

Join us today in celebrating this leading lady for her dedication to our community, advocating for oral hygiene education, and for being the lifeline of the Seaboard Festival!

Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority. Republished from visitrichmondcounty.com. Throughout March, Visit Richmond County will feature a local leading lady in honor of Women’s History Month.