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Eleanor Gwinnell Coit
Eleanor Gwinnell Coit
	Coit in 1915
Born	May 6, 1894; Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	June 7, 1976 (aged 82); Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.
Education	B.A. in history and English, Smith College (1916); M.A. in sociology, economics, and education, Columbia University (1920)
Occupation	Labor educator
Known for	Leader in adult education, work with the American Labor Education Service (ALES)

Eleanor Gwinnell Coit (May 6, 1894 – June 7, 1976) was an American labor educator and leader in adult education.^[1]^[2] Born in Newark, New Jersey, she graduated from Smith College in 1916 with a degree in history and English. Coit's career began with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), where she held various roles before pursuing further studies at Columbia University. She returned to the YWCA and later became the educational secretary for the American Labor Education Service (ALES), where she served until its closure in 1962. Coit's legacy includes pioneering work in workers' education and a lifelong commitment to social justice advocacy. She died in Hanover, New Hampshire.^[2]^[3]

Early life and education

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Coit was the daughter of Henry Leber Coit, a pediatrician and advocate for pure milk, and Emma Gwinnell. She attended public schools in Newark before pursuing higher education at Smith College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English in 1916.^[3]^[4]

Career

Following her graduation, Coit initially explored more traditional female roles but soon found her calling in social work. After her father's death in 1917, she began her career as the work and industrial secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of the Oranges in New Jersey. Coit then pursued further studies in sociology, economics, and education at Columbia University, earning her Master of Arts degree in 1920.^[3]

Coit's dedication and passion for social reform led her back to the YWCA, where she held various roles, including director and executive of industrial work in Bayonne, New Jersey, and later heading the business and industry department in Buffalo, New York. She conducted research for the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Conference on the Christian Way of Life before returning to the YWCA as the industrial secretary for the national organization in New York in 1926.^[3]

In 1929, Coit was appointed educational secretary and director for the newly formed Affiliated Schools for Workers,^[5] later renamed the American Labor Education Service (ALES), where she served until its closure in 1962. Under her leadership, ALES expanded its focus to include a wide range of workers and developed innovative educational programs and materials.^[3]

Coit's commitment to workers' education took her abroad, where she studied advanced methods in Scandinavia and Germany during the 1930s and 1940s.^[2]^[3] She secured funding from the Ford Foundation to conduct United Nations workshops and worker exchanges after World War II.^[3]

Legacy and later life

Leading the American Labor Education Service (ALES), she facilitated the creation of innovative educational initiatives, influencing worker education domestically and internationally. Despite health challenges, Coit maintained her dedication to advocacy until her death in 1976.^[2] Her commitment to social justice and informed citizenship remains influential among activists and scholars.^[3]

References

^ Bros, Will Lissnerpach (1962-04-29). "PIONEER OF LABOR LEAVES U.S. SCENE; Education Service Has Last Parley--Began in 20's First Director Honored". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "ELEANOR G. COLT, LABOR SPECIALIST". The New York Times. 9 June 1976. ProQuest 122922682.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Redmon 2000.
^ "SCANDINAVIAN GROUP APPOINTS 3 FELLOWS; Mrs. M.B. Block, Miss E.G. Coit and R.C. Bacon Win Year's Study in Europe". The New York Times. 20 May 1934. ProQuest 101240880.
^ "Madison to Hear Eleanor G. Coit". Wisconsin State Journal. 1936-01-17. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-04-25.

Sources

Book

Redmon, Sherrill (February 2000). "Coit, Eleanor Gwinnell". American National Biography. New York: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1501002.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: year (link) (subscription required)