Sacramento County
Biographies
MRS. IDA M. C. SMITH
MRS. IDA M.C. SMITH.—One of the
well-known and successful educators of the state, who has practically devoted
her life to this phase of humanitarian work, Mrs. Smith may almost be called a
native daughter, for, while her birth took place in Iowa, she was brought to
California by her parents when a babe in arms, and received her rearing and
education in the Golden State. She was raised to girlhood in Napa,
attending the old Napa Seminary, and later Napa
public schools. From there she went to San Jose and
finished with a course at the state normal, and after her graduation, taught in
the country schools of San Diego and Napa
counties, and later in the Napa
city schools. A desire to see and study life in a foreign country prompted
her to spend several years in Japan,
as governess in a wealthy Japanese family.
Returning
to California, Mrs. Smith for a time taught in the
schools of San Joaquin County. In
1909 she came to Sacramento to take charge of the Palmetto high school; this was
a county school, just outside the city, and a county orphanage school at that
time; some four years ago the district was annexed to the city and the school
was named the John Muir School; in the month of February, 1923, it was merged
with the Bret Harte School. With primary, grammar, and also a kindergarten
class, the school teaches to the eighth grade, and it is here that Mrs. Smith
has accomplished wonderful work in bringing the school up to its present high
grade of efficiency. When she took charge there were about one hundred
pupils, with three teachers; there are now 215 pupils and eleven teachers, all
working in harmony and with results that repay its head for working inside and
outside of hours, in her efforts to bring about the successful and harmonious
working of her school. The broadening influence of a woman of her calibre (sic) can hardly be estimated with development of
growing intellects is in question; and the state can justly be proud of her
schools as long as we have such educators to bring them to perfection.
Prominent
in club circles, for naturally her work has been in the public eye, Mrs. Smith
is a member and past secretary of the California Federation of School Women’s
Clubs, past president of the Sacramento School Women’s Club, and also a member
of the Business Women’s Club of Sacramento.
Transcribed 7-02-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 931. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.