In July 1912 Kate Andrews was 16. She was five foot ten
inches tall and had finished her formal schooling. She
shook out her red curls, braided her hair across the top of
her head, lengthened her skirts (all in the interest of maturity)
and went off to teach in the Etzikom district, where she
learned early to assert her authority.

On the first day of school, a boy of 21 who was to be one of
her pupils rode his horse into the school room directly up to
her desk. Undaunted, Kate whipped the reins out of his
hands and led the horse to the door. In one snappy motion
she slapped the horse's rump and grabbed the boy's shirt.
The boy stayed in. The horse galloped off. Problem solved.

Kate Brodie continued teaching at Warner and Stirling, leaving
that area for a position in Lethbridge, where she worked at
the Westminster and Fleetwood schools. In June 1921 she
retired to become Mrs. William Andrews. In 1924 the couple
settled on a farm in the White School District (east of the
Lethbridge Airport). It was there they raised their three daughters.

Kate Andrews will always be remembered by her family with a
warm, deep affection. She was loving and consistent, never
showed bias, and had a delightful sense of humor, laughing
heartily if the joke was on her. It was in her family life that
she especially displayed her "heart of a woman," but many
others would also benefit from this sterling trait as she moved
along her path in life. This strong-willed woman stressed
good morals, encouraged her children to strive for the best
in their chosen fields and emphasized individuality.

As her children began school, Kate became interested in
the rural system. She was appalled by the fact that so few
children from farm families were able to attend high school.
Dairy farm youngsters could go to Lethbridge with the milk
deliveries, but for the others, education ended at the Grade
8 level. Sne saw the need for a change and in 1928
succeeded in being elected to the local school board, much
to the chagrin of some of her male opponents. However,
after only a short time, her opposition found Kate and her
positive philosophy contagious. Together they worked towards
consolidating the rural school districts and providing better
facilities and teacherages that would in turn attract teachers
accredited to teach some high school. Kate was the first
woman in Alberta to serve on a school board.

Having been instrumental in the evolution of rural education
from the one-roomed school to the large consolidated unit,
this indefatigable lady recognized the need for secondary
education in Southern Alberta. Her aim became "education
for everyone". She enlisted the aid of several interested
persons: Allen Cullen Q.C., G.C. Patterson Q.C., Dr. Jim
Cousins, L. Bussard, J. Robbins and T. Segsworth. After
seven years of planning, on November 1, 1957, the
Lethbridge Junior College held its first classes. In 1959
the sod turning ceremony took place and Kate was allowed
by the city to pay the $ 1.00 charged for the property. To
her fell the honor of being the first woman chairperson
of the Lethbridge Community College, and in 1957 she
was recognized as having served with distinction, the
driving force behind the formation of the College.

The 1950's were significant years for Kate as honors were
heaped upon her in recognition of her work. Buckingham
Palace awarded her the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal
for outstanding achievements in education. She was
appointed to the Senate of the University of Alberta. She
represented Southern Alberta on the Alberta School Trustees
Association and was elected this organization's first woman
President. Kate was the first woman to receive an honorary
membership in the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
Another honorary membership came from Beta Sigma Phi.
The Quota Club named her Woman of the Year because
of her exemplary life as mother, wife and citizen. When
the Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale, named after
her, held its opening ceremonies in 1961, she attended with
pride and presented the school with a piano.

On January 12, 1967, two weeks after her death, the Kate
Andrews Building on the Lethbridge Community College was
named after her as a tribute.

It is said that in order for one to have friends, it is necessary
that one develop a genuine interest in other people, that it
is the content of the heart that draws the affection and
appreciation of others.