Clara B. Spence (1859 -1923) was an American educator, women's and civil rights advocate, adoption pioneer and civic leader.

She studied Shakespeare in London University and came back to New York City to work as an actor in the Madison Square Theatre.

[1][2][3][4][5] She founded the Spence School for girls in East 91st Street in New York City, where she served as Headmistress for 31 years.

She pioneered the idea of bringing children from other countries, in this case Great Britain, to the United States for adoption.

This personal investment in adoption paved the way for the modern idea of the children being part of the family and not cheap labour to be used.