About Etta Smith (1871–1952)
Etta M. Smith, Grand Rapids Press, February 19, 1919.
In 1919, Etta Smith ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Grand Rapids City Commission. She was the first woman in the city to do so and the Grand Rapids Press noted that at the start of her campaign Smith had recently been elected permanent chairman of the Kent County Democratic Convention. Although Smith was the first woman to receive such an honor, the distinction was not enough to win her a commission seat.
But Smith was not ready to give up on political office. In 1920, she threw her hat in the ring for the Michigan House of Representatives race. She ran an active campaign, placing political ads in local newspapers and voicing her views at local political events. Early returns show her narrowly winning the most votes of any Democratic candidate in the race. Her impressive total of over 12,000 votes, however, was not enough to beat the Republican front-runner Edward B. Strom. Had Smith won, she would have been the first woman to ever serve in the Michigan House of Representatives.
“Etta M. Smith Candidate for Legislature.” Grand Rapids Press, October 30, 1920.
In addition to her work in the Kent Democratic Party as a candidate and an organizer, Smith played a very active role in the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, a female auxiliary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Smith was involved in the sororal organization as early as 1904, when she was elected secretary of her local Rebekah Lodge. Years later, Smith would be elected president of the Michigan Rebekah Assembly. But she was perhaps most well known for her long tenure—thirty-three years—as secretary of the Michigan Rebekah Assembly.
Etta Smith died in 1952 and was recognized in her obituary for her decades of service to the Michigan Rebekah Assembly. However, the author of her obituary omitted her historic runs for the Grand Rapids City Commission and the Michigan House of Representatives.
About Etta Smith (1871–1952)
Etta M. Smith, Grand Rapids Press, February 19, 1919.
n 1919, Etta Smith ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Grand Rapids City Commission. She was the first woman in the city to do so and the Grand Rapids Press noted that at the start of her campaign Smith had recently been elected permanent chairman of the Kent County Democratic Convention. Although Smith was the first woman to receive such an honor, the distinction was not enough to win her a commission seat.
But Smith was not ready to give up on political office. In 1920, she threw her hat in the ring for the Michigan House of Representatives race. She ran an active campaign, placing political ads in local newspapers and voicing her views at local political events. Early returns show her narrowly winning the most votes of any Democratic candidate in the race. Her impressive total of over 12,000 votes, however, was not enough to beat the Republican front-runner Edward B. Strom. Had Smith won, she would have been the first woman to ever serve in the Michigan House of Representatives.
“Etta M. Smith Candidate for Legislature.” Grand Rapids Press, October 30, 1920.
In addition to her work in the Kent Democratic Party as a candidate and an organizer, Smith played a very active role in the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, a female auxiliary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Smith was involved in the sororal organization as early as 1904, when she was elected secretary of her local Rebekah Lodge. Years later, Smith would be elected president of the Michigan Rebekah Assembly. But she was perhaps most well known for her long tenure—thirty-three years—as secretary of the Michigan Rebekah Assembly.
Etta Smith died in 1952 and was recognized in her obituary for her decades of service to the Michigan Rebekah Assembly. However, the author of her obituary omitted her historic runs for the Grand Rapids City Commission and the Michigan House of Representatives.
Campaign Information
FIRST CAMPAIGN
Political Office: City Commission
Election Year: 1919
Party Affiliation: Nonpartisan race
Elected: No
SECOND CAMPAIGN
Political Office: State Representative
Election Year: 1920
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Elected: No
Biographical Information
Full Name: Etta May Wyble Smith
Life Dates: April 16, 1871–March 4, 1952
Birthplace: Mendon, Michigan
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: No formal occupation
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Social Reform Activism: Unknown
Sources
“Commission Seats Go to ‘Three Johns.'” Grand Rapids Press, March 6, 1919.
“City Greets Hosts of Odd Fellows.” Grand Rapids Press, October 17, 1922.
“Democratic State and Kent County Ticket.” Grand Rapids Press, October 2, 1920.
“Etta M. Smith: Candidate for Legislature.” Grand Rapids Press, October 30, 1920.
“How Election Went in Kent County.” Grand Rapids Press, November 3, 1920.
“Mrs. Etta Smith Active in Rebekah Work.” Grand Rapids Press, March 1952.
“Purity Rebekah Lodge.” Grand Rapids Press, June 5, 1904.
“Two Women on Candidate Lists.” Grand Rapids Press, February 20, 1919.
“Vote for Etta M. Smith.” Grand Rapids Press, October 30, 1920.
“Women in Lively Political Races.” Grand Rapids Press, October 30, 1920.
“Woman Presides at Convention of Kent Democrats.” Grand Rapids Press, February 19, 1919.