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Show ____ Sisters Gave Early Lives to Utah @ From Previous Page Exasperated, the Cooks went to work. Curriculum was standardized and students grouped according to achievement. Students rebelled against “such an un- heard-of system.” One frustrated pupil complained: “HowI cried when Miss Cook placed me way down in the second reader, for I was one of the very best readers in the school, read so well that my previous teacher had allowed me to skip the third reader altogether.” The students adjusted. quite delighted that the teacher-sisters added drama and gymnastics to the core curriculum of reading, spelling, arfthmetic and grammar. Excursions up City Creek Canyon andsouth to Draperwerejust as exciting to the new-to-Utah Cooksas to the students The press constantly publicized and praised the Cooks’ efforts, reporting details of their innovative adventures. “Miss Ida Cook learned after getting on thelast up train, that some of the excursionists were left behind and, fearing that they might be children, actually got out at Sandy station and walked back to Draper, a distance of 4 miles, that she might remain with them all night.” In -pring 1871 the expertise of the Cooks was noticed by the chancellor at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah). Mary was named principal of the university's model graded school, aud Ida was TheSalt Lake TribuneUTAH CENTENNIAL 1896-1996 Sunday. January14, 1996 But not fromthe honorroll Ordained“the apostle of education” by one Utah historian, she continued to gain public praise: “From Mary Cook's school, the University of Deseret has probably secured as manyscholars as from all others put together and satisfaction has been the result.” Mary Cook's Social Hall School grewin stature, attracting women faculty who equaled Cook's excellence Eliza R. Snow, poet and administrator of women’s organizations taught composition and elocution Ellen B. Furguson. accomplished linguist and musician, and later the first resident surgeon at the Deseret Hospital, taught the seniorscholars. Mary’s last four years in Utah were spent between St. George, whereshe washiredto establish a graded-school system, and Salt Lake City, where her Social Hall School continuediothrive. A diaryof a former student recordeda visit with Marytwo years before her departure from Salt Lake City, noting her “very circumstancesfinancially.” 4 time, like other femate teachers, she was earning about half the salaryof her male counterparts In 1891, Maryleft Utah to live in the East. As her shadowfaded, her sister's grew Unlike Mary. Ida was known students attending Loganschools. Logan's board of education hired Ida whenthe starting salary hired to teach college-prep courses. regard for Ida: even-tempered, Mary had earned the confidence of the public through her competent administration of the university. She was hired to developa plan for grading schools throughout theterritory. In 1874, four years after opening herfirst school in Salt Lake City, Mary was placedon the ballot as a nomineeforthe Salt Lake Countysuperintendent ofschools. Two days after the public announcement of her candidacy, a concernedresident contestedthat her genderdisqualified her. The language in the law tha created the office was clear office, “his” successor and “he shall qualify. The Salt Lake Daily Herald editorialized: “We think Miss Cook — whois a very estimable lady, and we understand fully qualified to perform the duties of this office — is ineligible.” With- out debate, Mary Cook was dropped fromtheballot teach.” Ida's next step up was to the position of general coordina- tor of the Logan schools. After oneyear, she handedin herresignation, which was refused by the schoolboard. Instead, they elected her — the laws had changed, making any registered votereligible for office — superintendent of the city schools. Herstarting salary was $1,500 per year — the highest salaryever offered a Logan teacher. Ida went to work establishing newrules. regulations and teachercertification. Hiring, assigning and dismissing teachers. she fired one male teacher when he hugged and kissed young girls and a female teacher against their wills. She dismissed another for frequenting saloons A zealous and high-powered changemaker, Ida was superintendent for only a year. Perhaps her directness earned disfavor with the school board Perhaps she was hungryfor a new challenge, having reached the educational zenith for a schoolteacher in a small Westerncity. Regardless, after her term as superintendent, she marketed patent medicinesin Salt Lake City for a short while before heading to Denver in 1896 to resume her educational career. Maryand Ida Cook had disappeared from Utah Maybe theylived out their days in Denver with their brother or returnedto St, Louis, where they had resided 10 years before coming to Salt Lake City Utah Women WereFirst in Nation to Play ManyRoles: Doctor, Voter, Mayor How important were women in the settling of Utah? “Ninety dollars per month if the school makesit If not, eighty dollars per month In the event the school makes $100 per monthorover, sheis to receive one hundred dollars per month.” Ida Cook's rise contin- and led out in efforts to improve historian Leonard J. Arrington that he devoted a 1970 issue of the Utah Historical Quarterlyto the social and economic status of the Indians. The special winter issue marked a centennial of women’s women in Utah, beginning with the three who came with the advance party of Mormonpioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847 In his introduction to the magazine, Arrington reminded readers that Utah womenwerethefirst in the nation to votefor city. county andterritorial officers They were among thefirst to serve as jurors. mayorsandstate Arrington concluded with a straw poll of favorite candidates industry, in communications and in the creation of literary sym- bols. In the last halfof the 19th cen- ry, Utah probably possessedthe In spite of mysteries buried be- largest number of midwives and tween pages of history books, one thing is certain. Mary and Ida women doctors in the United Cook left an imprint that still thrives in Utah classrooms. womenfounded the first ‘:permanent’ magazinefor women west of States.” Arrington said. “Utah ne pitit »Ctah A local journalist noted some yearslaterthat Ida Cook has been elected to theoffice of school superintendent for Cache Count. but owing to existing laws aga women holding office was not al- lowedto act; the word malein the organic act prohibiting womenas teachers from occupying positions of emolument and trust.” Although Utah law was insensi- tive to the educationalabilities of women, Brigham Young wasnot A month before his death, he deededland to three peoplefor a newacademicinstitution Ida was oneofthe threeand, in 1878, she opened Brigham Young vi SheMuild Co ngralulates The State of ( Utah Iu Celebrating t's Centennial Congratulations, Utah, on history of which to be proud. OCAccessortos os | 2155 S. Highland Drive eg 4 Utah history — poet Eliza R Snow. editor Emmeline B. Wells or silver queen Susanna Brans- elected Home Purnis wings Arrington said, “in addition to rearing families. have played an active role in the cultural, educational and political life of modern Utah. for the most forceful woman in and declared ‘thefirst woman in Utah, perhaps the entire West, to hold a position of prominence,” her length of service was cut short Vtah 5 Pines tn Utah women — Jean Bickmore White. Raye Price and Helen Zeese Papanikolas, all of whom, Utah women played district schools for Cache County, althoughthelawthat disqualified hersister fromseeking office had not been changed IN THE OLD SUGARHOUSE POST OFFICE suffrage in Utah Three of the essays were by an important rolein the livestock legislators. ued. She leaped from high-school principal to superintendent of Even though Ida was the Mississippi River. pioneered the operation of telegraph offices Important enough, according to for her erratic temperament and her scorn of male dominance Restless for independence. after five years she left the faculty of Mary’s Social Hall schoolto open a high school in Logan. Ida’s influence was felt in Cache County for the next 20 years. At age 25. she was employed as principal of a high school that in one year claimed 114 of the 456 for teachers was as low as $25 a month. Theiroffer reflected high MaryandIda Cookdid not continue long as a team Marystayed in Salt LakeCity, having relocated her mother and her younger invalid sister Cornelia to live with her at 323 E, 300 South. Staid, quiet, dependable and College to 71 students. The student body grewto 198 in its second year. Until she resigned six yearslater, Ida was an ‘adored principal,” role model and mentor. One female teacherin training testified to the influence of Ida Cook “She scared meatfirst because she demanded hard work, but we got along famously, though my schooling had beenso irregular I had to take a veryheavycourse to catch up. When I had been there a year, she suggested my name as a teacher for Franklin school. felt utterly incapable but with her insistence . I went home to Here's looking forward to the next 100 years... FredMeyer ford Emery Holmes Delitch Engalitcheff. Arrington’s choice was authoractivist Susa Young Gates, woman suffragist. temple worker, musician and mother of 13 — Judy Rollins |
