Fay Allen (teacher) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fay E. Allen
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| Born | January 4, 1887 Ottumwa, Iowa, U.S.
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| Died | October 17, 1974 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Musician, educator and school administrator |
Fay E. Allen (born January 4, 1887 – died October 17, 1974) was a very important person in education. She was the first ever African American to join the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This is a big group that helps run all the public schools in Los Angeles. She served on the board for two terms, from 1939 to 1943. Even after leaving the board, she stayed involved in politics and community work until she passed away.
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Early Life and Musical Talent
Fay E. Allen was born in Iowa. Her father, Silas Seth Weeks, was a famous musician known around the world. Her mother was Eliza Jane Clark. Fay's parents separated when she was young. Her father, known as S. S. Weeks, moved to Europe. He even became part of the Society of Composers in France.
Music Education and Royal Performances
Fay loved music too! She studied music in Iowa, Illinois, and Colorado. She often visited her father in Europe. There, she learned to play the piano, pipe organ, and even how to lead an orchestra. Fay and her father were so talented that they were often asked to play music for kings and queens in Europe, like King Gustav of Sweden.
A Champion for Education
Fay E. Allen became a music teacher in the LAUSD. People described her as "intelligent, traveled and experienced." She really cared about her students. She wanted to make a bigger difference in their lives and in the school system.
Running for the School Board
In 1937, Fay first tried to get a seat on the school board. She didn't win that time. But she didn't give up! She ran again in 1939. She wanted to improve schools by making the lessons more modern and standard. She also believed that public education should go beyond just high school. She wanted school board members to be elected by their local areas.
For her second campaign, a group called the Federation for Civic Betterment supported her. Even though some people thought this group was a bit extreme, they helped Fay win her election. She was elected on May 2 and started her job on May 26, 1939. She filled the spot of someone who had left early.
Making History
The Los Angeles Times newspaper reported that Fay E. Allen was the first African American woman to hold a public office in a major American city. This was a huge step forward!
During her time on the board, Fay faced a lot of challenges. But she also had a lot of support from groups like the Los Angeles Teachers Federation.
Fighting for Students: Adult Education
One of her biggest successes happened in 1941. The school board was talking about the budget for the next year. There was a plan to charge money for adult education classes. At first, Fay was the only one of the seven board members who said no to this idea. But then, students, teachers, and other citizens joined Fay in speaking out against the fee. Because of their strong voices, the other six board members changed their minds! They decided not to charge tuition for adult classes.
Leaving the Board
In 1943, Fay ran for a third term on the board but lost. Many important groups and people supported her, like the American Federation of Teachers and famous people like Charlotta Bass and Augustus Hawkins.
The election was tough. Fay faced Marie M. Adams in a final vote. Newspapers like the Los Angeles Times supported Mrs. Adams. Some people supporting Mrs. Adams tried to bring race into the election, which was unfair.
Al S. Waxman, a newspaper publisher, wrote a strong article against this unfairness. He said that politics based on race had no place in America.
Even with the unfairness, Mrs. Adams won the election. After Fay E. Allen left office, it took more than twenty years for another African American person to serve on the Los Angeles Board of Education.
After the School Board
Fay E. Allen continued to be an active and important person in her community.
- In 1954, she was appointed to the Los Angeles County Music Commission by Kenneth Hahn, a county leader. She was re-appointed for another three years in 1957.
- In 1962, she helped manage the campaign for Don Derricks, who was running for a seat in the California State Assembly.
Fay E. Allen's life showed her dedication to education, music, and fighting for what was right. She opened doors for many others.
