Serving as Superintendent of Medal Contest Work for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU),[1] for 30 years,[2] she directed the WCTU's state superintendents of Public Instruction in supporting instruction and contests in oratory or declamation in the areas of temperance, prohibition, narcotics, women's suffrage, purity, Christian citizenship, and many other topics.
Adelia's siblings were: Sarah, Martha, Delevan, Daniel, Martin, James, William, and Alice.
So enthusiastic was she in this novel way of educating the children and young people, and so effectually converting their elders to improving the home environment, that she wished the same plans might be broadened and thus made more effective.
[1] The Demorest recitation only touched on temperance and prohibition, and Carman, knowing well the many-sided work of the WCTU, felt that this same education should be given on the use of narcotics, franchise for women, purity, Christian citizenship, and many other topics.
[1] In managing all the details of this complicated work, with its designing of medals, editing and publishing the several contest books, planning the rules and suggestions and carrying on the large correspondence necessary, the National Superintendent proved herself to be an excellent businesswoman.