Mary Stuart Cummins

Mary S. Cummins (, Slemons; 1854–1894) was a 19th-century American educator who was also the leader of various religious, social reform, and teachers' organizations. She served as president of the Synodical Missionary Society, the Montana State Teachers' Association, and the Montana State Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

Early life and education Mary Stuart Slemons was born in Jonesborough, Tennessee, May 31, 1854.

Cummins was reared and educated in her native town, graduating at the age of sixteen. Seeking to continue her studies beyond the standard academic course, she pursued further education through her own efforts and obtained a full diploma from the Augusta Female Seminary (now, Mary Baldwin University), Staunton, Virginia.

In temperance work, she took a leading part, including serving as president of the Montana State WCTU. In 1891, she was commissioned by Frances Willard as national organizer for the vacation months, to work in Montana, and she traveled over a large part of the State, organizing new unions. Partly as a result of that tour, the banner presented by Willard for the largest percentage of gain in membership in the Western States was given to Montana in 1891.

In her later life, Cummins served as lady principal of Occidental College, at Los Angeles, California.

Personal life In 1877, she married W. F. Cummins, a merchant of Knoxville.

Mary Stuart Slemons Cummins died in Los Angeles, October 1, 1894. She was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery.