Gwynne Prosser Smith was born on June 6, 1924 in North Carolina. In 1969, she organized Delaware Citizens for Clean Air, serving as vice president and membership chair and began a five-year tenure on the environmental committee of the League of Women Voters. She testified at numerous public hearings on clean air, coastal zone protection, and water resources, and helped consolidate support for numerous pieces of environmental legislation. With Tom Doherty, Smith helped write the first piece of legislation in Delaware by citizen volunteers that was enacted into law, the Environmental Protection Act of 1970.
Smith entered politics in 1972, running for New Castle County Council, an election she lost. Two years later, she was elected as state representative to the Delaware General Assembly and served eight consecutive terms until 1990. While in office, Smith served on the Governor's Select Committee on Energy Conservation, as chair of the House Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee, as a member of the Joint Sunset Committee (on Agency Review), and as co-chair of the State Advisory Committee on Water Resources Management. She sponsored legislative efforts like the Bottle Bill, Drought Emergency Powers, Efficiency Lighting Standards in Public Buildings, Preservation of Natural Areas, and the Delaware Food Bank, Leaking Underground Storage Tank Bill, Natural Areas and Non-Game Check-off Bill, and handicapped permits for people 85 or older.
Delaware Wild Lands, Inc., "Lands Dedicated to Conservation". MSS 0528, Gwynne Smith papers.
This tri-colored map, designed by Delaware Wild Lands, Inc., displays land dedicated to conservation in 1971.
Delaware Coalition Against Nonreturnables, "Bottle Bill" pamphlet. MSS 0528, Gwynne Smith papers.
This Bottle Bill pamphlet was put together by the Delaware Coalition Against Nonreturnables, an organization with members such as the Sierra Club and the League of Women Voters of Delaware. The pamphlet outlines the need for a bottle bill, how it would work in Delaware, and points to similar successful programs around the United States.
Gwynne Smith, letter to constituents. MSS 0528, Gwynne Smith papers.
This Bottle Bill deposit letter was written in 1978 by Representative Smith to encourage citizens to continue rallying around H.B. 77 as it proceeded through the legislative process.
Aluminum can top and six-pack ring. MSS 0528, Gwynne Smith papers.
This aluminum can top and six-pack ring represent more environmentally friendly replacements to recycling issues that were being discussed during Smith's career.
