Helen Bull Vandervort was born on a dairy farm near Middletown, N.Y. After graduating from the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, she served as Home Demonstration Agent in Lewis and Sullivan Counties. She was married to John Vandervort, a 1923 graduate of Cornell's Veterinary School.

While raising her two children, she began her volunteer involvement in the local Parent Teacher Association, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Youth Activities. From there her interests grew and expanded to other local organizations and then beyond her local community to county and state-wide service.

With her strong desire to be of service, Vandervort’s volunteer and leadership commitment to civic, cultural and business organizations led her to lifelong achievements and recognition by the communities and groups she supported. She received many honors for her dedication to public service, business initiatives and community involvement.

In 1962 she was named "Woman of the Year" by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Ithaca, N.Y., and in 1966 was named "Woman of Achievement" in the career category by the Syracuse Post Standard. A wing of the Harriet May Mills Building at the New York State Exposition was named in her honor.