Public High School of Empire, Michigan Awarded to Lydia Powell for the Completion of Latin, English Course, May 31, 1917

Lydia Powell (1898-1991) graduated from high school in 1917. By the following year, all states had made school attendance compulsory for 8- to 14-year-olds. In 1925, mandatory attendance expanded to include children 16 years and under. After her high school graduation, Powell, a woman of limited means, completed courses and received degrees from several Michigan colleges, making teaching her passion and a lifelong career.