French, Permeal Jane

From teaching school at Silver City, Idaho in the 1890s Permeal Jane French rose to become one of the most important female educators of the Progressive era. She was elected state superintendent of public instruction in 1898, serving 1899 through 1903, and was succeeded in the position by other women until 1932. French became dean of women at the University of Idaho in 1908 and remained in that position until 1936. Governor Steunenburg declared her to be the best superintendent the state ever had. French graduated in 1887 from the College of Notre Dame in San Franciso.
She was born in Idaho May, 1869.