Teacher and activist Elizabeth Almira Allen

There are many examples of dedicated teaches who have worked tirelessly to improving the benefits and conditions of the teaching profession. One such teacher who exemplifies this is the activist Elizabeth Almira Allen of New Jersey.

Elizabeth Allen was born in Joliet, Illinois, on February 27, 1854. She was the oldest of five children born to James and Sarah Allen. Her father was a Civil War veteran. Her family lived for brief periods in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, but by 1867, they settled in New Jersey.

Elizabeth was thirteen when she enrolled in the Model School of Trenton, a facility associated with the State Normal School. The college is now known as Trenton State College. Two years later, Elizabeth graduated from the institution. She began teaching in Atlantic City. In 1871, she took a position in Hoboken, New Jersey. In a career that spanned 48 years, she taught in the classroom and served as the principal of local elementary and high schools. She also supervised the training of new teachers at Hoboken Normal and Training School.

Elizabeth worked tirelessly as a teachers’ rights advocate. In 1913, she became the first woman president of the New Jersey Education Association. In this role, she argued for tenure laws, disability benefits, and pensions for teachers.

This amazing educator could speak German and French fluently, and some Russian and Italian. She was an avid student of history. In addition, she published a book of poems entitled Golden Nails to Hang Memories On (1890) which detailed the accomplishments of famous people. Despite her limited means, she loved to travel, and made many cross-Atlantic voyages. She also visited Canada, Alaska, Central America, and Algiers.

This chalkboard champion passed away from congestive heart failure on May 3, 1919, at the age of 65. She is buried in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey. You can read more about her in Pedagogies of Resistance: Women Educator Activists by Margaret Crocco and Petra Munro Henry, available on amazon.com.