Jean Byrne: Teacher and former New Jersey First Lady

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Jean Byrne: Teacher and former New Jersey First Lady.

There are many examples of talented teachers who have also made a mark in the political world. Such is the case with Jean Byrne, an elementary school teacher who became the First Lady of New Jersey in the 1970’s.

Jean was born in Newark, New Jersey, on October 17, 1926. Her parents were George and Jane (Crysler) Featherly. She was raised in nearby West Orange. After she graduated from West Orange High School, Jean enrolled in Bucknell University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Although she majored in Spanish, she garnered academic awards in English composition and literature. She later earned her Master’s degree in Education from New York University.

After her college graduation, Jean taught second grade at an elementary school in West Orange, New Jersey. She also taught in schools in Harlem and Manhattan.

In 1953, Jean married Brendan T. Byrne. In those days, women teachers were not allowed to work when they were in the family way, so when Jean became pregnant with her first child in 1954, she was forced to resign from her teaching position. Jean and her husband had a total of seven children together.

Jean became the First Lady of New Jersey when her former husband, Brendan Byrne, was elected governor in 1974 on the Democratic ticket.  The couple served their state until 1982. During her tenure as First Lady, Jean concentrated her energy on issues related to education and health care. One of her daughters was born with Down’s Syndrome, so Jean advocated tirelessly for research into the condition. She was a lifelong advocate of quality education and civil rights.

Jean and Brendan were divorced in 1993, and Jean settled in Princeton, New Jersey. Sadly, she passed away from babesiosis, a tick-borne disease which affects the red blood cells, on August 9, 2015. She was 88 years old.

To learn more about this amazing educator, see this interview recorded by Rutgers University.

Texas educator Ruby Terrill Lomax: One of the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma

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Texas educator Ruby Terrill Lomax: One of the founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society.

Throughout history, there have been many superb educators that have served in Texas public schools. Many of these have even become the teachers of teachers. Among these is Ruby Terrill Lomax, a high school Latin teacher from Dallas.

Ruby was born in 1886 and raised in Denton, Denton County, Texas. As a young woman, she earned her high school diploma at North Texas Normal College. In 1905, she completed the requirements for an Associate’s degree at John B. Denton College, and in 1906 she earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas.

Once she earned her Bachelor’s, Ruby accepted a position as a teacher of Latin at Dallas High School. While teaching in Dallas, Ruby spent four of her summers furthering her education at the University of Chicago. The other two summers she spent completing courses in Latin and Greek at Columbia University in New York.

Ruby’s work as an educator at Dallas High was so highly prized that in 1924 she garnered a Latin fellowship to the University of Texas, Austin. In 1918, she was offered a faculty position at East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce. There she taught Latin and served as the Dean of Women.

Ruby completed the coursework for her Master’s degree in 1925. That year, she accepted a position as the Dean of Woman and Associate Professor of Classical Languages at the University of Texas. She held that position until 1937. During her years at the University of Texas, Ruby met and married the well-known folklorist John A. Lomax.

In 1929, Ruby was one of 12 educators who founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG). By long-standing custom, the women were prohibited by from meeting together professionally, yet they believed there was a pressing need for an organization in which women educators could assist each other in their efforts towards becoming better teachers. They extended membership in the organization to rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; and school administrators. DKG members worked to better professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships to those who needed support to improve their professional skills.

Ruby served the organization as its Parliamentarian, a National First Vice President, and its Keeper of the Records. She also served on numerous national committees, including Constitution (1929-1930), Membership (1933-1937), Initiation (1933-1934) Letters and Publications (1940-1942), Nominations (1941-1942), Awards (1946-1952), and Teacher Welfare and Morale (1954-1956). She represented the Founders on the National Planning Committee from 1946-1950.

This amazing chalkboard champion passed away on December 28, 1961. She was 75 years old. She is interred at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

To read more about Ruby, click on this link at the DKG website: Ruby Terrill Lomax.

A child’s memory of Martin Luther King

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Today’s national celebration of the birthday of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offers teachers an excellent opportunity to share the story of this prominent figure in America’s history. The holiday provides an opportunity to guide young people in their reflection on what lessons about life this great leader’s life can offer us.

As a young child myself in the 1960’s, I can remember avidly watching the “I Have a Dream” speech on television that hot August night in 1963. I was eight years old then, and impressionable. I’m all grown up now, but throughout the five and a half decades since that historic March on Washington, whenever I watch video of that historic speech, I am impressed all over again. I am impressed by the possibility that the world we share could, and should, be a better place. I am reminded by the fact that no matter how young—or old—I am, I can take action, even if it’s small, that would make such improvement come about. This is one of the most important lessons MLK has taught us all, not only then, but most especially now.

The video of King’s historic speech is below. To learn more about this amazing man, click on MLK Biography. To examine the website of the MLK Center for Nonviolent Change, click on King Center.

Ralph G. Brooks: Educator and former Governor of Nebraska

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Stellar educator and former Governor of Nebraska, Ralph G. Brooks

There are many stellar educators who have earned acclaim in the political arena. One of these is Ralph G. Brooks, a high school teacher from Nebraska who eventually became his state’s governor.

Ralph Brooks was born in Eustis, Frontier County, Nebraska, on July 8, 1898. His father was a farmer and store owner. As a child, Ralph’s family moved often. They lived in the towns of Kearney, Elm Creek, and Sargent. Early on, Ralph discovered that he had a passion for learning. His favorite quote, and the one he said shaped his life, was from Abraham Lincoln, “I will study and get ready, and my chance will come!”

Ralph graduated from Sargent High School in 1916. He immediately launched into his career as an educator, teaching for four years in high schools in Cherry and Custer County. Then, to better his skills, he enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1920. There he excelled at debate, winning the National Oratorical Peace Contest in 1923. During those years Ralph also served as a member of the College Council and the Assistant Editor of the college paper. He also worked as the Associate Editor of the magazine of the State Highway Department.

Following his graduation in 1925, Ralph attended the University of Nebraska College of Law. In 1930, he was admitted to the Nebraska Bar Association, although he never practiced the profession. Later, while teaching in Hartington, Nebraska, Ralph completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in School Administration at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He then worked at several high schools in Nebraska and Iowa. In 1946, Ralph relocated to McCook, Nebraska, where he became the Superintendent of Schools and then the President of McCook Junior College.

Ralph became interested in political office in 1942. That year he ran for Congress  to represent Nebraska’s 1st District. He won the nomination, but lost the election to his Republican opponent, Carl Curtis. Just 16 years later, however, the McCook educator was elected the 29th governor of Nebraska. While in office, Ralph championed an interstate highway construction program, supported a comprehensive traffic safety program, and promoted the state’s industrial growth. While still in office, this Chalkboard Champion passed away on Sept. 9, 1960. He was 62 years old. He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lancaster County, Nebraska.

To read more about this amazing educator and politician, click on this link to the McCook Gazette.