From collection Candidates
Lewia C. Smith campaigned for the office of School Commissioner of the First Ward in Rochester, New York in 1880. 1880 was the first year that women in New York State could run for school offices, and several women were elected. Unfortunately, Smith was not one of them, despite the endorsement of the local newspaper the Democrat and Chronicle. The article named Smith as "one of the mostintelligent, compenent and active among a large number of worthy citizens in Rochester." The article also urged all voters to cast their ballots in her favor.
