Bennion, Ione, 1908-1997

Ione Spencer was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1908. She taught school after graduating from the University of Utah in 1930. In 1937 she married Wayne Bennion, who passed away in 1942. Ione attended graduate school at Stanford University, University of Utah, and University of Washington. In 1945, she became the dean of women at Utah State University, where she met and married T.W. Daniel, a member of the forestry faculty. She was replaced in 1952 under an anti-nepotism law that stated that women could not be teachers or administrators if their husbands were employed by the university. Though she fought fiercely to keep her position, the university stood by their decision, and Ione began work as a teacher for the Logan City School District. For the next 28 years she worked with disadvantaged and disabled students. Her work included the creation of the Young Mothers program, which encouraged teenage mothers to complete their high school diplomas. Ione was politically active on the state and local levels, fighting for the rights of women, minorities, seniors, and others. In 1981 she received Utah State University's Distinguished Service Award.

From the description of Ione Bennion photograph collection, 1908-1997. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 190916982

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