Evening star., 1936-07-12


MRS. ELIZABETH X. PEOPLES.
high school service as teacher Of
English. Her youthful pupils inter-
probation of Shakespeare's plays given
as a part of their after-school activi-
ties are still remembered by the pupils
fortunate enough to have participated
in them and by the audiences who
attended their artistically presented
efforts.
Mrs. Peoples in Fifth Year.
This year marks the fifth anniver-
sary of Mrs. Elizabeth Peoples term
of office as director of Community
Center work In the public schools OF
the District of Columbia, she having
succeeded to the post when 1t was
left vacant by Miss Bakers resigna-
ton to take over the supervisorship
of Fairgrounds Associated with Mrs.
Peoples in the administration of the
Community Center Department are
Mrs. Lucretia Hardy, general secre-
tary for the work of the white schools,
who officiates in Mrs. Peoples absence,
and Miss Anna L. Goodwin, general
secretary for the colored schools.
Mrs. Peoples is that rare product in
our midst-a native Washingtonlan.
A graduate of the Wilson Teachers
College when it was the Wilson Nor
NAL School, she had left teaching
career to marry. After rearing a
daughter she returned to the system
in 1921 as a teacher in charge OF the
nature study crops in the elementary
school. Then came an experience as
administrative principal of the Bright
wood Elementary School. This, Mrs.
Peoples believes was a particularly
helpful background for her present
lob. For, here she will tell you, she
obtained the dual point of view of
the educator with recreational SYM
pathies." 1t was in this position,
too, which gave Mrs. Peoples her pres
ent positive conviction that IF you
have inspirational leadership you can
motivate any group in comparatively
short time to higher level Of good
taste and appreciation without there
being any growing pains along the
way"
Has Varied Interests.
Although the work of the Com
munity Center Department in spon-
soring the Summer Festivals at the
Sylvan Theater-the one about which
the public hears most-Director Pee
pies would not have you consider the
department simply a drama depart
met. In reality" she tells you, "the
dramatic work of this school agency
is a conspicuously small item in COM
parison with the other projects spon-
sored by the Community Center De-
partment."
> For instance, she emphasizes. the
Community Center Department. in
connection with the American For
estry Association and the National
Capitol Parks Office. co-operated in
the setting up and lighting of Wash
ington,s first community Christmas
tree. which every year since the Gus
tom was inaugurated. has been lighted
by the President Of the United States
in person. The first one on the Mall
was lighted by President Coolidge.
Then a living tree was planted in
Sherman Square for the purpose
which was lighted by President
Hoover. Now. fittingly, one of the
trees in Lafayette Park Is used. a
view of which is always obtainable
from the White House Windows. The
utter self-forgetfulness and absorp-
ton Of President Roosevelt in this
Christmas rite, Mrs. Peoples adds,
will always linger in the minds OF
those present"
Active in July 4 Celebration.
She would also have you remember
that the Community Center Depart
ment. in conjunction with the Dis
trict Commissioners, the office of the
National Capital Parks, the Com
munity Chest, various representative
committees Of citizens and the press
of Washington, motivates our annual
Fourth of July celebrations. Origi-
nally held in the National Sylvan
Theater, they have become so in
creasingly popular that the Monu-
ment lot is now none too spacious
for the public's participation. In
connection with the Fourth Of July
celebration it is Director Peoples
hope that the pledge of allegiance
to our flag with which this event Is
brought to a conclusion may consu-
tute itself a resounding call to greater
love of country throughout the
Nation.
Nor Is all of the work of the Com
munity Center Department solely for
large groups by any manner OF means
Director Peoples Is. anxious Tor you
to know.
Recreational centers for both white
and colored persons are located
throughout the city. ,
These centers, located In various
school buildings in diversified areas,
have increased during the five years
of Mrs. Peoples dictatorship OF the
Community Center Department from
Is to 81. Much of this growth Is due
to the helpful interest Of Supt. OF
Schools Frank w. Ballou and the
DYNAMIC motivation Of Mr.. Henry !
Quinn. member of the Board OF Edu-
cation and chairman of its Commit
tee on Community Use of School
Buildings. Mr.. Robert Maurer and
Mrs. Mary A. Mcneil serve with Mr.
Quinn on this committee. Mr.: James
@. Yaden is the president OF the
Community Center Council, which
functions with the Board Of Educa-
ton in the motivation of Community
Center endeavors. Associated with
him in this fine, purposeful work are
Col. Charles I. Stangle, Mr.. George
Barse, Mr.. Frederic A. Delano, Mr.
M