Gila Hebb Carpenter (1891-1969)

From the Burlington Free Press, February 27, 1937.

   We continue our stay in Vermont to profile one term state representative Gila Hebb Carpenter, an all-to-rare example of an oddly named female politician being highlighted here. A teacher in Elmore for two decades, Carpenter also served as a ballot clerk in that town on several occasions. Born on July 11, 1891, in Cambridge, Vermont, the former Gila Lucia Hebb was the daughter of Henry and Flora (Horner) Hebb. 

  A student in schools local to the Cambridge area, Gila Hebb Carpenter undertook further study at the Johnson Normal School and the University of Vermont. She married in 1918 to William Silloway Carpenter (1890-1968), to whom she was wed for fifty years. The union would be childless. Prior to her marriage Carpenter began a teaching career at age seventeen. She would teach at the East Elmore School between 1910-1928, continuing until the school's closure in the last-named year. She and her husband would reside on a farm in Elmore (located in Lamoille County) and in addition to teaching held the post of ballot clerk for town elections at various times.

  In 1936 Carpenter won election to the Vermont House of Representatives from Elmore and during the 1937-39 session was a member of the committee on State Institutions. Her service on this committee also saw her undertake fact-finding visits to the Women's Reformatory at Rutland and the State Industrial School in Vergennes. Interviewed by the Burlington Free Press shortly after taking her seat, Carpenter described herself as living "the life of an average Vermont housewife" and that she:

"Is interested in all constructive legislation, particularly that pertaining to educational matters and social welfare."

  Carpenter's term in the legislature concluded in 1939 and she was succeeded by Phillip Shonio, who sat in the legislature until 1943. She and her husband continued residence in Elmore and for an indeterminate period, Gila Carpenter held the office of constable in Elmore, being acknowledged as the first woman to occupy that post in Lamoille County history. Carpenter suffered the death of her husband William on June 29, 1968, and survived him by a less than a year, dying aged 77 on June 14, 1969, in Elmore. Both were interred at the Lake Elmore Cemetery.

From the Burlington Free Press, February 27, 1937.