Dexter, May E.

May E. Dexter was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Yolo County, California in 1906. Dexter was first appointed to the office in 1906 to replace her predecessor, Minnie DeVilbiss who died that year. Dexter was elected by the voters that same to office in her own right. In 1910 Dexter married and continued her terms in office, under the name Henshall. Henshall was in office at least through 1912. She was described as follows by the historian of Yolo county, Thomas Jefferson Gregory: "Like most people who are talented and able to encompass great ends she is modest and unassuming to a degree. Mrs. Henshall has never sought, official position, but when requested to hold office by men and women who had known her all her life she acquiesced. It is easy to discern that she loves her work and that her heart is wrapped up in the welfare of the children who are soon to take our places in the great world. She believes that the educational problem is the most important of all problems and during her six years' incumbency has approached it in that spirit. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that as the years pass the esteem in which she is held increases, for a more conscientious official has never held public office in this county."