A Summit Hill native who serves as the vice president of the Bethlehem city council has been honored by the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women as one of 18 Outstanding Elected Democratic Women in the Commonwealth.

Grace Crampsie Smith was among those recognized by more than 200 people at a recent brunch hosted by the federation at the Best Western Premiere Hotel, Harrisburg. She was the successful nominee of the Northampton County Chapter of the Federation of Democratic Women.

The state federation was founded to promote the appointment and election of Democratic women to responsible positions within all branches of government, to encourage the advancement of women in both the public and private sectors and to advocate the principles of the Democratic Party.

Crampsie-Smith was born into a politically and civically active family with her father, the late John L. “Jack” Crampsie, being a chief of police, her mother, the late Margaret (Shober) Crampsie, a nurse, and several of her six siblings holding political offices.

She is the mother of three children: Attorney Shannon Smith, Dr. Bridget Smith and Brendan Smith.

Crampsie-Smith was appointed to city council in September 2019, and was subsequently elected to a two-year term in 2020 and re-elected to a four-year term in 2022, having been the top vote recipient in both elections.

She sits on the first council in the city’s history with a majority of female members.

Crampsie-Smith serves as chairperson of the Bethlehem Public Works Committee and a member of the Bethlehem Appropriate Mental Health Appeals Board.

As a council member, she said, “I try to devote much of my life to representing and serving others, always showing compassion for others, and being a tireless advocate and a voice for all as a city councilperson.”

Her council initiatives include her priority of “Homelessness/Affordable Housing.” She initiated and co-chaired the Inclusive Bethlehem/Affordable Housing Task Force.

Among her other council work are: Sponsored resolution to assure insurance coverage for PTSD care for first responders; initiated the Community Engagement Initiative to address social justice and law enforcement issues; proposed Responsible Contract Ordinance to assure taxpayer funds used in most transparent and efficient manner, as well as ensuring future workforce development via support for apprenticeship programs; advocated for permanent year-round shelter for the unhoused; and partnered with Pros Fore Clothes in facilitating ongoing clothing drives for the unhoused and those in need, and Lehigh Valley ROAR in supporting the Bethlehem Emergency Homeless Shelter.

Crampsie-Smith is a graduate of Lehigh University with a master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling and previously earned her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in social welfare from Bloomsburg University. She graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1980.

She is a counselor at Easton Area High School. Her other work experience includes working as an addictions counselor, coordinator of Lehigh County Services for those with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness, and serving as a college instructor on ADA and IDEA legislation.