Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Papers, 1955-1994
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Mss 014 ABSTRACT Anna Margaret Ross Alexander (1913-1995) was an Indianapolis civic leader, and member and president of the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners from 1966-1970 during the period when desegregation, integration of the teaching staff, and busing was initiated. Mrs. Alexander was an active member in diverse civic organizations, but the records collected mainly reflect her tenure on the School Board. ACCESS This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. PREFERRED CITATION Cite as: Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Papers, 1955-1994, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. ACQUISITION Presented by Stephen R. Alexander, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 18,1995. A95-47. Processed by Angenieta A. Biegel, November 1997. HISTORICAL NOTE Anna Margaret Ross Alexander (1913-1995) was born in Lafayette, Indiana but lived most of her adult life in Indianapolis. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1935, and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Purdue University in 1986. In 1935, she married John A. Alexander, whom she met at Purdue University. Her husband became a corporate lawyer, with Krieg, DeVault, Alexander and Capehart located in Indianapolis. They had two sons, David Linn and Stephen Ross Alexander. Mrs. Alexander became involved with the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and was President of the PTA of School #80, and of the Broad Ripple High School PTA. She expressed her interest in federal aid to schools, only if it would be economically advantageous. She was concerned about the reading ability of school pupils, about the home influence, and lack of religious training of many school children. Eventually she was elected to the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners and served from 1966-1970 and was its president in 1970. During her tenure, instructional TV and hot school lunches were instituted in all elementary schools in the IPS system, and the conflict with the U.S. Department of Justice over desegregation plans was the major issue. In this same period, she also served three years on the Marion County Tax Review Board, representing all of the school systems in Marion County. Over the years she was a member and leader of numerous civic organizations including the following: Alpha Mu Latreian Service OrganizationChildren’s Museum Christamore House Board Community Centers of Indianapolis Community Chest (later United Way) Connor Prairie Farm Contemporary Club Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Honorary Historic Landmark Foundation of Indiana Indiana Federation of Clubs, GFWC, 7th District Indiana State Symphony Society Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners Indianapolis Museum of Art John Purdue Club Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Alumnae Association Marion County Mental Health Board Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center Morris Butler House Mother’s March of Dimes for Polio Mental Health Gift Lift Mental Health National Convention, Indianapolis Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Purdue Alumni Association and Purdue President’s Council Purdue Centennial Drive, Marion County Purdue Women of Indianapolis St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Honors: 1968 Theta Sigma Phi (now Women in Communications) TSP Award1970 Theta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year Award 1984 Purdue Citizenship Award 1986 Doctor of Humane Letters from Purdue University 1990 Kappa Alpha Theta Twin Star Award SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The papers of Anna Margaret Ross Alexander contain newspaper clippings and speeches largely documenting her activities with the Indianapolis Public Schools. The Newspaper Clippings, 1964-1994, consist of four scrapbooks and a folder of newspaper clippings documenting the many civic organizations and school board issues during her time as a board member. The scrapbooks and clippings are arranged chronologically. Issues highlighted in the clippings from local newspapers include:
1964-1965
1966-1968
1968
1969
1969-1970 Speeches, 1970-1971, consist of Mrs. Alexander’s speech at the end of her presidency of the School Board on June 24, 1970 and a speech delivered on April 26, 1971 about school integration. In this last speech she urged the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners to turn down the school busing program for desegregation purposes, in answer to the Supreme Court decision in the Charlotte, North Carolina case.
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