ELLA FLAGG YOUNG 593 In 1910, the National Education Association met in Boston. It had been the custom of that organization to elect annnally a man as president. A cnstom had grown up of having a com- mittee make all nominations for offices, and so firmly had this practice become established, that no one thought of disregard- ing the committee's recommendations. But at the Boston meeting the unexpected happened. The nominating conmoit- tee reported as usual, but some intrepid woman moved from the floor of the convention to substitute the name of Mrs. Young for that offered by the committee for president. Pan- demonium reigned ; a woman was breaking the revered custom of generations and leading an attack on a time-honored oli- garchy. For the first time, the teachers, the individual mem- bers composing the body, were taking a hand in the proceed- ings and were selecting someone representing their interests. Mrs. Young was elected by a large majority of the votes pres- ent and the cause of democracy triumphed once more. Noth- ing has happened to the National Education Association in recent years of more importance for general education than this election. Since that time it has been conducted in the interests of the country as a whole and not of a special set of institutions. The outcome of the fight has been due mainly to the power, foresight, and democratic principles of the woman elected president of the Association. A teacher always, Mrs. Young has given the very best of herself to the education of boys and girls and her name has gone out to the ends of the educational world as a great leader and teacher. BIBLIOGRAPHY PERIODICALS Education. By George H. Mead. Survey 31 :443. Ella Flagg Young. By J. L. Jones. American Magazine 72 :434. First Woman Superintendent. Survey 24:619. Honoring First Woman Superintendent Survey 24 :474. Principal of Chicago Normal School. By A. S. Beard. World To- day 9 :1330. Proceedings of the National Education Association : 1887 : 254 ; 1893 : 83; 1896: HI; 1901: 363; 1903: 322; 1906: 121; 1908: 102-115; 1900: 29; 1911: 87-183; 1907: 164-383.
