[1][3] After graduating New Bern High School as valedictorian in 1912 at 15, she studied at the State Normal and Industrial College (now UNC-Greensboro) and began a career as a teacher of History, French, and English.

[6] Carraway was responsible for persuading the Eisenhower administration to officially establish Constitution Week as a nationally recognized observance.

United States residents were encouraged to "observe that week with appropriate ceremonies in their schools and churches... give thanks for the wisdom of those statesmen of 1787... who contributed to making our Constitution a living thing, a great taproot to feed and support the growth of our republic.

[2][9][10] The restoration efforts conducted by the Tryon Palace Commission were part of the Colonial Revival preservation movement, and have since been criticized for "instead focusing on the beauty of colonial decorative arts and architecture and patriotic sentiments instead of historical accuracy," ignoring "Governor Tryon's controversial administration, African-Americans, and lower classes.

"[11] She served on the executive board of the State Department of Archives and History from 1942 until her death in 1993 and helped create the North Carolina Historical Marker Program.