Ella Lillian Wall Van Leer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ella Lillian Wall Van Leer
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| First Lady of Georgia Tech | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ella Lillian Wall
November 21, 1892 Berkeley, California |
| Died | August 8, 1986 (aged 93) Alexandria, Virginia |
| Spouse | Blake Ragsdale Van Leer |
| Children | Maryly Van Leer Peck, Samuel Van Leer, Blake Van Leer |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | Architect, artist, women's rights activist |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1953 |
| Commands |  Army Nurse Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Ella Lillian Wall Van Leer (born Ella Lillian Wall; November 11, 1892 – August 8, 1986) was an amazing American artist and architect. She was also a strong supporter of women's rights. She was the first woman to hold an office in the American Legion in California. People knew her as the "First Lady of Georgia Tech." She always fought for women to have more opportunities in engineering.
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Early Life and Education
Ella Wall was born on November 21, 1892, in Berkeley, California. Her dad, A. Conrad Wall, was an engineer who designed ships.
School Days
In 1910, Ella finished Berkeley High School. After that, she went to the University of California, Berkeley. While there, she joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Years later, she helped create a similar group called Tau Sigma at Georgia Tech. This group later became part of Alpha Xi Delta.
In 1915, Ella earned her Master's degree in Art and Architecture. She wrote a special paper about how rhythm works in design. She later taught these subjects at high schools in California. Even with her architecture degree, it was hard for women to work as architects back then. So, she focused on teaching instead.
Working as an Artist and Nurse
One of Ella's first jobs was as an artist for Rand McNally. This company makes maps. Two of her maps, which show women authors, are now in the Smithsonian Institute.
In July 1918, the United States had been in World War I for a year. Ella joined the Army Nursing Corps at the Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco. She helped patients with different therapies. She also created medical drawings and worked with people who had facial paralysis. Four months later, she was ready to go overseas.
She came back to the U.S. in March 1920. After working at a hospital in New Jersey, she returned to California to teach. In 1923, she made history again. She became the first woman to hold an office in the American Legion in California. She was the second vice commander for the Berkeley Post No. 7.
First Lady of Georgia Tech
In 1924, Ella Lillian Wall married Blake R. Van Leer. She then added his last name to hers. She often used the name Ella Wall Van Leer.
Her Work During Marriage
Ella continued her art career after getting married. She worked as an illustrator for Rand McNally. During World War II, Ella worked for the U.S. Army. She was a main designer and technologist in Washington. She also designed the president's house on the Georgia Tech campus.
Fighting for Women at Georgia Tech
In 1944, her husband became the president of Georgia Institute of Technology. Ella became a huge supporter of women at the school. She was like their "unofficial dean." She fought for women's rights and successfully helped change a rule that stopped female students from joining the school. While her husband talked to the school's leaders, Ella worked with the Women's Chamber of Commerce to push for the change.
After the first women were allowed into Georgia Tech, Ella and the Women's Chamber of Commerce created the first scholarship for female students. Ella also encouraged her old sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, to start a chapter at Georgia Tech in 1954. They didn't have enough students at first, but the sorority made a special exception. They officially started a chapter at a private party hosted by the Van Leers. This was the first sorority at an engineering school!
Ella's daughter, Maryly Van Leer Peck, was a leader in the Society of Women Engineers at the time. She helped Georgia Tech start a chapter for this group, which gave women a support network. Ella stayed active in the chapter and continued to champion women in engineering throughout her life.
Later Years
After Blake Van Leer passed away in 1956, Ella bought a house near Georgia Tech. She turned it into a place where women students could live. She was also active in the Georgia Tech chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. From 1959 until she retired in 1976, she was a trustee, president of the auxiliary, and director of volunteers at Egleston Hospital.
Ella passed away on August 8, 1986, at 93 years old, in Alexandria, Virginia. She was buried at the Marietta National Cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia.
Family Life
Ella and Blake Ragsdale Van Leer had three children. Their son, Blake Wayne, was born in 1926 in Berkeley. Their daughter, Maryly, was born four years later in Washington, D.C. Their youngest son, Samuel Wall, was born in 1934 in Gainesville, Florida.
Maryly Van Leer Peck grew up to become an engineer. She was also the first female president of Polk Community College.
