Grace Ewing Smith was the widow of William W. Smith II, a grandson of one of the Smith Brothers of cough drop fame. She became controlling stockholder and served as chairman of the board of Smith Brothers, Inc. from 1955 until the company was sold in 1964.

Grace and her husband were active in the First Presbyterian Church in Poughkeepsie and Grace was an enthusiastic volunteer in many community organizations over the years, eventually serving as an Elder.

In 1981, the Board of Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church came together with concerned members of the community and established the first shelter. A large Victorian house located in Poughkeepsie was converted into a residence providing battered victims with basic services such as protection and counseling. They named the shelter Grace Smith House to honor the decades-long service and commitment of one of its most active members.