(Washington D.C.) Iowa 3rd District U.S House Representative Cindy Axne advanced to rename the U.S. Post Office in Clarinda in honor of Jessie Field Shambaugh, the former school superintendent from Page County and longtime Iowa educator known to many as the ‘Mother of 4-H.
“Growing up as a 4-H kid, I was taught values of leadership, engagement, and community that I carry with me today – values that have been instilled in millions of 4-H’ers. I’m proud to be able to honor the contributions of an exemplary Iowan, and I’m pleased we’re one step closer to cementing her place in the heart of Page County,” said Rep. Axne. “Jessie Field Shambaugh – or ‘Miss Jessie’ to her students – was a trailblazer, educator, mother, author, and radio contributor – and someone who has left a legacy not just in Iowa, but across the country.”
In July, Rep. Axne unveiled the bill at an event with Jessie Field Shambaugh’s grandson, Seth Watkins, and representatives from 4-H and local leaders at the American Legion Post 98 in Clarinda.
Shambaugh began teaching in Page County in 1901 and formed the Boys Corn Club and the Girls Home Club to teach students essential skills for the farm and home through extracurricular programs. To boost participation in the Clubs, she created a clover pin – with each leaf labeled with an H. Her design became the symbol of 4-H in 1914 when the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative Extension System at the USDA, formalizing 4-H clubs across the country.
Today, over 6 million schoolchildren participate in 4-H activities – learning life skills, leadership, and cooperation through the same values of ‘Head, Hands, Heart, and Health’ that Shambaugh helped pioneer over a century ago.
Shambaugh was also an author, radio contributor on KFNF in Shenandoah, and two children’s mother. She was born in 1881 near Shenandoah, studied at Shenandoah’s Western Normal College, graduated from Tabor College in Fremont County, and was elected superintendent of schools in Page County in 1906. She died in 1971 in Clarinda. In 1977, Shambaugh was named to the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
The bill introduced by Rep. Axne to rename the post office at 101 S. 16th Street is cosponsored by the other three members of the Iowa House delegation: Reps. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), and Steve King (IA-04).
