Education and activism: The life and sacrifices of Blanche Ely.

Blanche Ely, education advocate and longtime principal in Broward County.

Mrs. Blanche Ely was born January 4,1904 and graduated from Florida A&M University. She also received a Master’s degree from Columbia University. Mrs. Ely became principal of Ely High School in 1951 which was originally named “Pompano Colored School” and later named “Pompano Negro High School.” Mrs. Ely “played no games” with her students and staff. She was strict and conservative and didn’t allow school dances, started faculty meetings with a prayer, prohibited teachers from smoking on campus and would give short sermons when handing out each paycheck. Norbert Williams, who taught at Ely High School in the 1960s, accounted for Mrs. Ely’s behavior and rules. She was a leader who emphasized programs and groomed young teachers to continue her work. She also secured funding for the migrant housing project where Markham Elementary school was built. Additionally, Ely Estates, which is a housing project for low-income families was an initiative she advocated for as well. Mrs. Ely is credited with birthing the education renaissance in Broward county from the implementation of Pompano Migrant School (Today known as Golden acres), Coleman Elementary, Markham Elementary and Sanders Elementary. Blanche Ely passed away in 1993 and is buried in forest lawn cemetery in Pompano. Her home is now a Black historical museum displaying the rich history of Northwest Pompano.