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Bertha Adkins AI simulator
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Bertha Adkins
Bertha Sheppard Adkins (August 24, 1906 – January 14, 1983), was an educator, political activist, public servant, and a community leader.
Adkins was born in Salisbury, Maryland in 1906.
Adkins graduated (at age 15) from Wicomico High School in Salisbury, Maryland. Her parents decided that she was not yet ready for college, so she attended preparatory school at the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. After graduation she attended Wellesley College where she graduated with an AB degree in 1924. She later received Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Adkins also received honorary degrees from Hood, Salisbury State, Western Maryland, Wheaton and Wilson Colleges.
Her first job after college was as a teacher at Miss Harold's School, a private elementary school in Salisbury. She held this position from 1928 to 1932. She felt unchallenged by the position and left. After a brief trip to Europe she began working as a secretary in the family business, E. S. Adkins Lumber Company.
In 1934, Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in Westminster, Maryland. Adkins became the Dean of Women until 1942. Afterwards, she became the Dean of Residence at Bradford Junior College in Bradford, Massachusetts.
After the death of her mother in 1946, Adkins returned to Salisbury to run her father's household. At that time she was active in community affairs and also began her political career by volunteering her services to the local Republican Party. In recognition of her organizational abilities and skill in working with the public, she was appointed as Republican National Committeewoman for Maryland in 1948. Some women who had long been active in the Maryland Federation of Republican Women protested this appointment, resentful that the relative newcomer was appointed over other candidates and fearing that this was a case of the men of the party imposing their will on the women's activities. Adkins’ down-to-earth strength in organizing and motivating workers at the precinct level soon won over all but her most bitter rivals.
Two years later, she was appointed executive director of the Women's Division of the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 1953, she became Assistant to the Chairman of the RNC. During this time, she instituted a series of "Breakfasts with the President" and set an example for a series of annual national conferences of Republican women. In her work for the RNC Adkins traveled extensively across the country speaking to Republican women's groups, at Lincoln Day dinners, and at a wide range of party events. Frequently in her speeches she encouraged women to take an active role in party politics and to consider running for elected office. An active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), The Bertha Sheppard Adkins fellowship was established in her honor in 1958, for a female scholar pursuing advanced work in American history, government of politics.
She maintained close relationships with Democratic women leaders throughout her political career, maintaining that strong participation by women in both parties was needed to ensure a strong two-party system. She continued to be active in the Republican Party throughout her life. In 1968, she helped organize the unsuccessful Presidential campaign bid of Nelson Rockefeller.
Bertha Adkins
Bertha Sheppard Adkins (August 24, 1906 – January 14, 1983), was an educator, political activist, public servant, and a community leader.
Adkins was born in Salisbury, Maryland in 1906.
Adkins graduated (at age 15) from Wicomico High School in Salisbury, Maryland. Her parents decided that she was not yet ready for college, so she attended preparatory school at the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. After graduation she attended Wellesley College where she graduated with an AB degree in 1924. She later received Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Adkins also received honorary degrees from Hood, Salisbury State, Western Maryland, Wheaton and Wilson Colleges.
Her first job after college was as a teacher at Miss Harold's School, a private elementary school in Salisbury. She held this position from 1928 to 1932. She felt unchallenged by the position and left. After a brief trip to Europe she began working as a secretary in the family business, E. S. Adkins Lumber Company.
In 1934, Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in Westminster, Maryland. Adkins became the Dean of Women until 1942. Afterwards, she became the Dean of Residence at Bradford Junior College in Bradford, Massachusetts.
After the death of her mother in 1946, Adkins returned to Salisbury to run her father's household. At that time she was active in community affairs and also began her political career by volunteering her services to the local Republican Party. In recognition of her organizational abilities and skill in working with the public, she was appointed as Republican National Committeewoman for Maryland in 1948. Some women who had long been active in the Maryland Federation of Republican Women protested this appointment, resentful that the relative newcomer was appointed over other candidates and fearing that this was a case of the men of the party imposing their will on the women's activities. Adkins’ down-to-earth strength in organizing and motivating workers at the precinct level soon won over all but her most bitter rivals.
Two years later, she was appointed executive director of the Women's Division of the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 1953, she became Assistant to the Chairman of the RNC. During this time, she instituted a series of "Breakfasts with the President" and set an example for a series of annual national conferences of Republican women. In her work for the RNC Adkins traveled extensively across the country speaking to Republican women's groups, at Lincoln Day dinners, and at a wide range of party events. Frequently in her speeches she encouraged women to take an active role in party politics and to consider running for elected office. An active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), The Bertha Sheppard Adkins fellowship was established in her honor in 1958, for a female scholar pursuing advanced work in American history, government of politics.
She maintained close relationships with Democratic women leaders throughout her political career, maintaining that strong participation by women in both parties was needed to ensure a strong two-party system. She continued to be active in the Republican Party throughout her life. In 1968, she helped organize the unsuccessful Presidential campaign bid of Nelson Rockefeller.