Polly Bemis

Author Sister Mary Alfreda Elsensohn (1897-1989) was born in Grangeville, Idaho and she was professed as a Benedictine sister at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in 1916. She was educated at Washington State University, Gonzaga University, and University of Idaho. She was a teacher for 42 years and established the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in 1931. She was a member of the Idaho Writers League, the Idaho County Historical Society, the Idaho State Historical Society, the Idaho Academy of Science, and the American Benedictine Academy. She was named Idaho Writer of the Year in 1969 and received the Governor's Award for literary excellence. Sister Alfreda became a prominent Idaho historian and the state's most prestigious museum award is named for her.