Coit, Eleanor G.

Labor education expert Eleanor Gwinnell Coit (Smith College, A.B., 1916; Columbia University, A.M., 1919) was the daughter of Emma Gwinnell and Henry Coit, M.D., and was born in Newark, N.J. on May 6, 1894. Coit was Industrial Secretary and General Secretary for three New Jersey branches and one New York branch of the Young Women's Christian Association (1916-1925), before she became Industrial Secretary of the National YWCA in New York City (1926-1928). In 1928 Coit was appointed director of the Educational Department, the research arm of the Affiliated Schools for Women Workers in Industry (known later as the Affiliated Schools for Workers, 1929-1938, and the American Labor Education Service, 1938-1962). Coit served as director of ALES from 1934 until 1962, when the organization was disbanded. At ALES, Coit drew on the expertise of a network of reform-minded women that included academic social scientists and former YWCA industrial and executive secretaries (including Marie Algor, Ernestine Friedmann, Alice Shoemaker, Amy Bruce, and Louise McLaren). Their years of cooperative work resulted in lasting friendships. Coit lived for many years with her companion Amy Bruce. After retirement, Coit remained active in the Council of National Organizations for Adult Education, in church, labor, and social work associations. She died in 1976.

From the description of Papers, 1894-1971 (inclusive). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232008853

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