The Boylston Legacy
Elise Reid Boylston was an accomplished educator who, along with twelve other leading women teachers, help found the first chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in Georgia. Alpha Chapter was organized on January 31, 1939, with Miss Boylston as a charter member.
Born in Atlanta on April 4, 1884, Miss Boylston was a graduate of Girls High in the Atlanta Public Schools. Passionate about art, she was further educated at New York University, the Art Institute of Chicago, Pratt University of Wisconsin, and the Berkshire School of Art. Miss Boylston taught art at the elementary level and taught at the Atlanta Normal School, later serving as assistant principal at area elementary schools. Her influence continued to affect teachers in students in the Atlanta Public Schools through her work as assistant art supervisor and then art supervisor for the district. In addition to this work, Miss Boylston set up the Smith Boylston School in Clayton, Georgia, and she taught summer art school in Atlanta. Her work extended into many areas of the arts and humanities. She painted, illustrated, and wrote books and poems, As passionate as she was about art, Miss Boylston was equally as passionate about Delta Kappa Gamma, serving as Alpha Chapter president from 1941 until 1943 and serving as vice-president of the state organization, then referred to as Psi State, from 1946-1950. She worked tirelessly for the organization at every level, serving on many committees, conducting workshops, and leading seminars. Having a state headquarters for the organization was important to Miss Boylston. Proceeds from one of the books she wrote were donated to begin a fund for a headquarters building. Miss Boylston died on July 26, 1984. In her will, she bequeathed her home to the state organization to be used as the society's headquarters. The title to the home transferred to the organization in 1986, and it was used for twenty years as a gracious place for meeting by chapters, committees, and councils. |
The home was sold in 2006, and the proceeds were used to start The Elise Boylston Memorial Foundation. The Foundation accepts grant proposals annually to fund projects to improve literacy and education in Georgia. The gift of Miss Elise Reid Boylston continues to give. Her legacy lives on.
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