Mary M. Knight

Mary Miranda Knight ( Dunbar; September 2, 1854 – February 2, 1940) was a pioneer educator in Washington state. She dedicated her life to teaching, and over the years worked in three different states: Michigan, Dakota and Washington.

Knight spent most of her life in Shelton, Washington. By 1900, she became a well-known teacher and was elected to the position of the Mason County Superintendent of Schools, which she held for eighteen years. During this period, she consolidated five small school districts into one big district, providing students with more educational opportunities. The new district was later named in her honor: the Mary M. Knight School District No. 311. Knight organized communication between teachers and was praised for accuracy in management and dedication to her work. The Mary M. Knight High School in Matlock is now named in her honor.

She raised the next generation of educators – her daughters Jessie A. Knight and Gyneth Knight – who spent many years working as teachers. After her retirement, Knight was the keeper of some Washington state relics belonging to the family of George Pickett. Provided by Wikipedia