Poway Remembers Mary van Dam this Women's History Month

As we celebrate Women's History Month in Poway, it's important to highlight one woman who left her legacy in our city.

For those who have ever read As I Remember Poway, you probably already know Mary van Dam. For those who don't, you've missed out on a piece of history.

Mary—who was born in 1891 to German immigrants John and Bertha Frank in what is now known as Rancho Santa Fe—moved to Poway in 1893. At the time, the family acquired 40 acres of land about three miles north of the intersection of Poway and Pomerado roads.

With her sister Elsie, Mary attended Bernardo School, a Poway school on Community Road, and graduated from Escondido High School. By 1912, Mary became a teacher at a school near Del Mar where she earned just $75 a month for teaching and janitor work. She later taught at Merton School near Poway from 1913-1917 and Holtville in Imperial County in 1917. 

Mary didn't stay away from Poway for too long, though.

In 1921, she moved back with her husband Ed van Dam, where the young couple lived through the Depression and World War II, which would force Mary to return to teaching in 1943. For the next 11 years, Mary taught at Midland School and earned $100 per month.

After retirement, her book As I Remember Poway was published in 1983 and she became one of the founding members of the Poway Historical Society.

Though Mary died in 1991, her legacy as a remarkable Poway woman survives.