Name/Title
Blanche Ely 1956Entry/Object ID
H11362B.2 Tags
Blanche Ely, Black History, Women's HistoryDescription
Blanche Ely 1956Photograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
Ely, Blanche (Mrs.)Collection
Women's History, History Fort Lauderdale Photograph CollectionCataloged By
Emeri CejkaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsGeneral Notes
Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Blanche General Ely 1904-1993
Community leader, Blanche Ely dedicated her life to equal education for all. Born in Marion County, Blanche graduated from Florida A&M and Columbia University. She began her teaching career at Deerfield Beach Elementary and then in Hialeah before becoming Principal of Pompano Beach Colored School. A school, which at the time would close down from November to March for the children to work in the surrounding agricultural fields to pick crops.
Blanche began her pursuit of educational equality with the demand for a 12-year school for black students. A grade at a time was added and by 1952, Blanche was able to put forth plans for a high school. Parents and students petitioned for the high school to be named Blanche Ely High School. With plans for desegregation, Blanche Ely High School was phased out in 1970, but reopened in 1977. Blanche General Ely led her school with morals and decency. She left a lasting impact on her students and community.
History Fort Lauderdale Gene Hyde Photograph CollectionCreated By
eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.orgCreate Date
November 15, 2023Updated By
eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.orgUpdate Date
November 15, 2023