Elizabeth Almira Allen
Elizabeth Almira Allen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 27, 1854 Joliet, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 3, 1919 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Years active | 1871 - 1919 |
Elizabeth Almira Allen (February 27, 1854 — May 3, 1919)[1] was an American teacher, teachers' rights advocate, and the first woman president of the New Jersey Education Association.[2] Allen was born in Joliet, Illinois, daughter of James and Sarah J (Smith) Allen on February 27, 1854, and the eldest of five children.[2] By 1867, the family had moved to New Jersey.[2]
Allen advocated for teachers' pensions.[2] In 1896, the first statewide teacher retirement law in the U.S. was passed in the New Jersey State Legislature.[2][3]
In 1896, Senator John B. Vreeland of Mooristown introduced the " School Teachers Retirement Fund Bill," which provided half-pay annuity to teachers who were no longer able to teach, who had over 20 years of teaching experience. The bill was financed by a one percent stoppage from the monthly salary of all those elected to be considered by this law. This bill passed and became the first statewide retirement law for teachers.
References
- ^ Lurie, Maxine N., Mappen, Marc (2004). Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-3325-2.
- ^ a b c d e Burstyn, Joan N. (1990). Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 9780810822016.
- ^ "Social Security History". Social Security Administration. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
Sources
- Elizabeth Almira Allen: [Sebastian 1]
- ^ Allen, Elizabeth. "Elizabeth Almira Allen". New Jersey Women's History. Annabelle Sebastian. Retrieved 8 October 2025.