Professional life 

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In 1919, Dow moved to Maryville, Missouri, where she joined the teaching faculty of Northwest Missouri State Teachers College (now University) faculty in the foreign language department. During her time at Northwest, she was busy earning her Ph.D., traveling abroad, and advocating for women's higher education advancement and civil rights. In the 1922 Towers Yearbook Dow is listed with her B.A. from Smith and a Diploma from the School of Expression in Boston, and she taught French and Dramatics. As a professor, Dow was very connected to her community. She lived for many years with another professor, Olive DeLuce, and they would work together to aid Maryville for the benefit of their students.

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After 30 years at Northwest Missouri State College, Dow left Maryville to become president of Cottey College in 1949. Cottey College is a women's college located in Nevada, Missouri. Dow was president of Cottey College until her retirement in 1965 after serving the women and the college for 16 years. This was not the end for Dow's public service, however. She continued advocating for women, the disabled, and minority groups in America and abroad. 

 

Blanche H. Dow used her orator skills to deliver speeches all over the United States and in several foreign countries where she discussed the progression of women's education and the rights of minorities and those with disabilities. Several of these speeches were given while she served in many different roles within the American Association for University Women. Dow was part of the AAUW for almost 30 years and did as much as possible to further the association and its goals. She was a very active member of the Missouri chapter and worked hard at the state level to further her chapter in and out of leadership roles. 

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Dow was given several honors and awards for her work and dedication. By 1965, she had been awarded five honorary doctorate degrees and was invited by two different presidents to help shape the country's policies on education. Presidents JFK and LBJ enlisted Dow's advice, asked her to serve on committees, and invited her to attend events. Dow's work on these presidential committees included the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.

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Blanche Dow was a strong, smart, and independent woman who was the change she wanted to see in education and society at large. She is an inspiration for women and men who wish to follow their dreams and use their skills to help others. Life is about how a person spends it and impacts others with theirs. Dow spent her life not just influencing others for greater change but also always learning and growing until her passing on March 26th, 1973.