Celestia Josephine “Jessie” Field Shambaugh was born in 1881. As a teacher in a one-room rural Page County, Iowa schoolhouse she challenged her students to become more involved in their community and to be proud of their rural life. She organized children’s clubs that focused on personal and group accomplishments. The club concept received national attention that led to what became the 4-H movement. As a teacher, education leader, and promoter of rural social and economic development, Shambaugh pioneered the youth organization focuses on the four values of Head, Heart, Hands and Health. Jessie Shambaugh died in 1971.
