She continued her studies in New York with vocal scientist Dr. Douglas Stanley,[4] with Lily Pons as accompanist.
After performing in New York, she served on the faculty of Morehead State Teachers College where she taught speech and started up the department of theatre.
[5] She married W. Paul Little, a businessman and thoroughbred breeder, in 1937 at the age of 28 and they made Lexington, in the heart of the Bluegrass state, their home.
[6] In 1979 she was kidnapped by a young man whose father worked at Paul Little's tobacco warehouse in Lexington, Kentucky.
In May 2011, however, the Foundation announced the largest awards ever presented: $2.5 million each for the Lexington Children's Theatre (Shooting Star Youtheatre outreach to Rowan and Elliott Counties) and for Morehead State University's scholarships for students primarily from Rowan or Elliott County who pursue a bachelor of arts degree in art, music or theatre.
She founded and led the following: Her leadership was invaluable to the following organizations: She also enjoyed singing as the soprano soloist at Central Christian Church in Lexington.
Her gifts were matched by Mr. William T. Young and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education's Research Challenge Initiative, resulting in the creation of a Library Endowment Fund.
[citation needed] She endowed the Lillian H. Press Distinguished Speakers Series at Centre College and gave $100,000 to the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership.
[citation needed] Mrs. Little conceived the horse-themed pendulum clock which was installed in the central branch of the Lexington Public Library in 2001.