Field, Jessie

Extract

Field, Jessie (26 June 1881–15 January 1971), rural educator and 4-H club founder, was born and raised on a farm near Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Celestia Josephine Eastman and Solomon Elijah Field, schoolteachers and farmers. Her parents encouraged her to study farming and science. Her father felt that girls were as intelligent as boys and should accomplish all they could in life. He took Jessie with him to the meetings of the local Farmers Institute. Although women had never been allowed into these meetings, Field was admitted when she agreed not to publicly ask questions. Thus she was able to hear lectures by several prominent individuals, including ...