Mellcene Thurman Smith (November 13, 1871 – June 21, 1957[1]) was one of the first women elected to the Missouri House of Representatives.
Smith was born to John William and Cecelia Marion Thurman in Buchanan County, Missouri.
She volunteered for the American Red Cross, worked to establish local libraries, and supported prohibition and women's suffrage.
[4] She was one of the first two women elected to the Missouri General Assembly along with Sarah Lucille Turner, although Smith joked that she was first because representatives were sworn in by alphabetical order.
[3] Upon her election, Smith described her intent while in Jefferson City: "I do not intend to drape my feet over the top of a desk in the Capitol building.