Grace Schneiders-Howard

Grace Schneiders-Howard
Born	Grace Ruth Howard (1869-09-16)16 September 1869 Paramaribo, Colony of Surinam, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Died	4 February 1968(1968-02-04) (aged 98) Paramaribo, Suriname, overseas territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Other names	Grace Ruth Schneiders, Gay Howard
Occupation(s)	social worker, politician
Years active	1911–1946
Known for	establishing public drainage, sewage and water supply systems in Suriname

Grace Schneiders-Howard (16 September 1869 – 4 February 1968) was a Surinamese social worker and politician. Initially beginning her career in civil service as an agent for immigrant workers, she later worked in the Hygiene Department to develop sanitation services in the country. When women were allowed to run for office, but without the right to vote, she ran as a candidate for the Estates of Suriname. Elected in 1938, she became the first woman to serve in the Surinamese legislature. A controversial and abrasive figure, Schneiders-Howard was convinced of her own racial and social superiority, using her work with migrants and the poor to propel her own aims and views of how society should be organized. A pioneer woman in many fields, she was condemned by her opponents, who questioned her morals, her motivations and even her sanity. Her lasting impact was upon bringing improved sanitation of the country.