Found 1 collection related to Ayer, Gertrude E. (Gertrude Elise), 1884-1971

Gertrude Elise (née Johnson) McDougal Ayer, was born in New York City, and attended City College, Hunter College, and Columbia University. She began teaching in New York City public elementary schools in 1905, and she was the first vocational guidance instructor in an elementary school. In 1924 and 1936, Ayer was appointed assistant principal and principal, respectively. For twenty-five years, she was the only Black person to hold the position of principal within the New York City public school system. The collection consists of biographical information; a family history written by Mrs. Ayer, possibly for her daughter, Elizabeth; and a few items related to her professional activities before and after retirement in 1954. Additionally, there are scrapbooks, 1931-1966, which focus on Ayer's appointment and career as an assistant principal and principal, and include columns from the New York Amsterdam News. less