Muehleisen, Vesta

Biographical / Historical Note

Vesta Muehleisen (August 7, 1887-October 19, 1973) was a San Diego citizen actively involved in the educational system through the 1940s. Muehleisen, graduate of San Diego State Teachers College in 1907, was the first Alumni Association President in 1931. She served on the San Diego City Board of Education from the late twenties through the thirties for a number of years . She also served as Director of Education for the California Pacific Exposition from 1935-1936 and for the Golden Gate Exposition from 1939-1940. She was a member of the Advisory Council for San Diego State College from 1925-1934. She founded the Hall of Education Association in February 1937 and served as its first President. She was also a longtime member of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers and the 9th District Congress of Parents and Teachers. During her time serving on the San Diego City Board of Education, Muehleisen was involved in the lawsuit between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) vs. the Board of Education, based on rumors that the ACLU had ties to the Communist Party, making them unfit to use public schools to hold meetings.