Susanna M. D. Fry

Susanna M. D. Fry (, Davidson; February 4, 1841 – October 10, 1920) was an American educator and temperance worker. Her teaching career began in the primary department of the village school, but her superior ability as a teacher led her swiftly into positions of greater responsibility. Fry was the only woman chosen from the Methodist church to speak before the Parliament of the World's Religions, 1893.

Early life and education Susanna Margaret Davidson was born at Burlington, Ohio, February 4, 1841.

She was educated at Western College for Women, Oxford, Ohio (1855–59), and in succeeding years, took postgraduate work, obtaining the degree of A.M. from Ohio Wesleyan University (1878). Upon taking a non-resident, post-graduate course, with Syracuse University, she received the degree of Ph.D. for work in history, philosophy, and aesthetics (1881).

Career After leaving Oxford, she took up teaching. She taught in a private school, Cleveland, Ohio, 1862–3; High School, Ironton, Ohio, 1863-5; and an Academy, Burlington, Ohio, 1866-8. at that time, a member of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1873, the two went to Europe for a year's study and travel. Letters of travel, history, biography, and art, written by Fry from Europe, were printed in many papers and magazines. Her paper was entitled, "Women in Methodist Education."

Fry became acquainted with Frances Willard, and the W.C.T.U. leader, recognizing Fry's fitness for leadership in temperance work, urged her to pursue that line. In 1894, Fry accepted the presidency of the Minnesota W.C.T.U., serving in that capacity for two years. Fry held that position till 1898, when she was elected corresponding secretary of the National W.C.T.U. Fry was also a contributor to The Ladies' Repository and various papers and magazines. Unexpectedly, at the Thirty-Fifth Annual Convention of the National W.C.T.U., held in Denver, Colorado, October 1908, Fry resigned from her position as corresponding secretary. It was believed that she gave up her position on account of failing health.

Later life In 1911, Fry was serving as W.C.T.U. National Superintendent of Literature. She was in Los Angeles County, California in 1915, serving on the Alhambra school board. In 1919, Fry was president of the Minnesota W.C.T.U.

Susanna M. D. Fry died in Bloomington, Illinois, October 10, 1920.

Selected works A Paradise Valley Girl, 1899 (Text) The flower of temperance chivalry – Frances E. Willard, 1925 (Text)