Herron, Carrie Rand

Herron, Carrie Rand (1867–1914) socialist; born in Hagerstown, Md. Daughter of philanthropist Caroline (Amanda Sherfey) Rand, she and her mother were long involved in social causes and in the development of Iowa College in Grinnell (later Grinnell College). While her mother helped fund creation of departments at Grinnell, Carrie was a physical education instructor (1893–1909), "principal of women" (1894), and helped fund construction of the E. D. Rand Gymnasium for Women (1897). She turned all her attention to the Socialist Party after marrying longtime associate, the Rev. George Davis Herron (1901). Hounded for their socialist activities and liberal social attitudes, they moved to Florence, Italy (1904), returning briefly to the United States to create the Rand School of Social Science in New York City (1906) at the bequest of the late Mrs. Rand who had died in Florence (1905). The school, which trained people for leadership in socialist and labor causes, went out of existence in 1956. Carrie and her husband returned to their villa in Florence where they entertained international socialists during her remaining years.