Lucy Wilmot Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucy Wilmot Smith
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| Born | November 16, 1861 Lexington, Kentucky
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| Died | December 1, 1889 (aged 28) Lexington, Kentucky
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | State University |
| Occupation | Journalist, Educator |
Lucy Wilmot Smith (born November 16, 1861 – died December 1, 1889) was an amazing American woman from Kentucky. She was a dedicated teacher, a talented journalist, and even a historian. Lucy was one of the few women to hold an important position in the American National Baptist Convention. She started teaching in 1877 and began her journalism work in 1884.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lucy Wilmot Smith was born on November 16, 1861, in Lexington, Kentucky. Her mother, Margaret Smith, made sure Lucy received an education, even though their family didn't have much money.
Her Amazing Career
Teaching and Leadership
In 1877, when she was still young, Lucy started teaching for the Lexington School Board. By 1881, she became a teacher at State University. There, she was the principal of the model school, which was a special school for training teachers.
Lucy also worked as a private secretary for Dr. William J. Simmons. He was a big supporter of her work and often spoke about how helpful she was. Even while teaching and working as a secretary, Lucy continued her own studies. She graduated from the normal department in 1887.
Lucy was very generous with her family. She helped pay for her sister's education at the university. After her sister graduated, Lucy then helped educate her niece and one of her brothers at the same school.
Community Involvement
In 1884, Lucy left State University for a short time and worked in Wyandotte County, Kansas. While there, she became the President of the Sewing Circle at the Wyandotte Baptist Church. She also led a society connected to the Methodist Church. Lucy was also the Secretary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a group that worked to reduce alcohol use.
In September 1885, Lucy returned to State University because the president and trustees really wanted her back. She worked as a financial clerk and a city missionary for the YMCA/YWCA. She also became the president of this group. Lucy became a Christian in 1872 and joined the Baptist Church.
Contributions to the Baptist Convention
In 1883, Dr. Simmons asked Baptist women in Kentucky to come together to support education. Lucy became the secretary of this new organization. She was a member of the Board of Managers for many years. She also served as Secretary of "Children's Hands," a group that helped children earn their own money. Lucy wrote a 13-page booklet explaining how this children's group worked.
In 1886, the first National Baptist Convention met in St. Louis. Lucy presented a paper there called "'The Future Colored Girl." This paper was so important that it was published in the meeting's official "Journal." At that same meeting, she was chosen as the Historian for the Convention. She also served on its Executive Committee for several years. In 1888, she presented another paper to the group.
Journalism and Advocacy
Lucy's newspaper career started in 1884. She managed the "Children's Column" in The American Baptist newspaper in Louisville. In 1887, she joined the staff of The Baptist Journal. She wrote articles about women newspaper writers for The New York Journalist. Her work was highly praised and appeared in other newspapers like the Boston Advocate and the Indianapolis Freeman.
She also edited a section called "Woman and Woman's Work" in Our Women and Children, a magazine published in Louisville. Lucy was very interested in helping women succeed and was a strong supporter of woman suffrage, which meant women having the right to vote. She had even started writing a book called "Women and Their Achievements."
Later Life and Legacy
In the fall of 1888, Lucy started to feel unwell because she was working too hard. Her friends worried and asked her to rest, but she kept working. Even when doctors told her she needed to stop, she continued her duties.
In September 1889, when school started, she was back at her post, even though she was very weak. She knew her time was short and made arrangements for her funeral. Her mother came to be with her, but Lucy refused to go home to Lexington until October 15, 1889. She passed away on December 1, 1889. Lucy Wilmot Smith left behind a legacy of dedication to education, journalism, and the advancement of women.
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Lucy Wilmot Smith
