The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-25
Commissioner EchoLs Non1inates Woman for Seat on School Board
Mrs. A. w. Bell Named to Fill Vacancy Created by Death of Horace T.. Waters; Announcement of Education al Head Greeted With Ap- proVaI

member of the city board of edu- cation of Birmingham was yesterday announced by Commission Mary D. Echols, head of the department Of health and education. The nomina- ton is equivalent to appointment, However. the formal ratification will probably be made by the city com- mission in session Tuesday morning
 Announcement of the nomination of Mrs. Bell created surprise in po- though it was conceded a settled fact that the mind of the educational commissioner was ma de up to the aa pointment of a woman on the school board.
 Woman Recommended Endorsement of a woman member of the educational board has re- coived the recommendation of solid civic. patriotic and educational cir cle, except the League of Women Voters. which unqualifiedly denied their approval of such. and the re- suit of Mrs Echols deliberations on her choice is declared by many as nothing less than an assertion of the independence of her office regarding who she shall name to office within her department.
 It was rumored for some time past that Commissioner Echols was not In accord. with naming a certain woman as the leagues candidate; hence, the refusal of the political or ganization to endorse any woman to sit on the board. because the appoint n1ent was known not to include a member of the league.
 Asserts Independence
 Another evidence of the indepen-
 The family has resided at Wood lawn for the past 19 years where Mrs. Bell became identified with the Woodiawn Central High School I'm proVement association and is now chairman of the lunch room board, She Is also active in school improve ment work and puts forth untiring efforts in the task of obtaining the Woodiawn High school. She was born at Weaver. Calhoun county and is graduate of the Southern Female university at Anniston. Her first public appearance will be in the administration building Of tn , education board March 30, when the board of education will tender re- ception to city teachers.
 denee of Commissioner Echols' office is. noliticians say, her nomination of R E.. Chadwick some months ago to a seat on the school board, the league at that particular time. it is said, desired the naming of woman However. with the vacancy created by the death of Horace F. Waters, to which position Mrs. Bell is noml- mated to fill. the league seems 10 have changed it's policy
 Commissioner Eehols' declaration of rights in the prerogatiYes of her office is in compliance with cam raign warning that she would not heed the wishes of any. political or . ganization in deference to which she effeted for election against their wishes or consultation.
 Educators Approve Nominee
 AnnounceInent of the nomination of Mrs. Bell was met with hearty approval by Ben. NJ Jacobs, acting president of the school board and Df. C. B. Glenn, superintendent ot schools. both of whom expressed themselves as pleased with the CO operaticn of the city commission Tn the interest taken in the welfare or the school system of the city Mrs, Bell Active Worker
 Mrs. Bell Is active in educational work. but is not affiliated with any woman's political organization. She is the wife of Dr. A. W. Bell ana the mother of three daughters, Misses Louis Snow, Clemmie' Weaver ana Margaret Dudley Bell.