Biography
Countryman graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1889 and started work at the Minneapolis Public Library under James Kendall Hosmer. She was the nation's first female head librarian at the Minneapolis Public Library from 1904 to 1936. When she accepted this job she knew that she would be making one third less than her predecessor, $2000.00 dollars per year.
In May 1917, Countryman took in a homeless boy, Wellington Wilson, who later changed his name to Wellington Countryman after she was awarded custody of the child. She established The Minnesota Library Commission and remained recording secretary of that group until 1918. From 1912 to 1914 Countryman organized and was president of the Foreign Policy Association Women's Foundation International League for Peace and Freedom. She also served on the National Liberty and War Service Committee and the Woman's Warfare League.
In 1931, she was awarded the Civic Service Honor Medal by the Inter-Racial Service Council of Minneapolis for Outstanding Civic Service for work with immigrants. In 1932, she was awarded an honorary MA degree from The University of Minnesota for Distinguished Public Service. As well that this was the most significant award she received as it was "only the fourth honorary degree conferred by the university and the first received by a woman."
In 1934, Countryman served as President of the American Library Association. She was forced into retirement at age 70 in 1936.
Read more about this topic: Gratia Countryman
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