Allan, Virginia R., 1916-1999

Virginia R. Allan has had a distinguished career as an educator, business woman, civic leader, and national and international stateswoman. Born October 21, 1916 in Wyandotte, Michigan, Allan earned her A.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Michigan in 1939 and 1945, respectively, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Her education prepared her to be an educator and, with the exception of a year spent on a World War II assembly line, it was as a teacher of English in the Dearborn and Detroit school systems that Allan devoted the first part of her career. A well respected and innovative educator, Allan pioneered the Job Upgrading Program, which was designed to help drop-outs return to school or otherwise find meaningful employment. After establishing four job upgrading centers, Allan in 1953 was appointed assistant principal of Redford High School. In 1955, she left teaching to become co-owner and executive vice-president of Cahalan Drug Stores, Inc. in Wyandotte.

As a teacher and businesswoman, Allan developed an interest in local and state affairs, and during the early 1960s became especially active in the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, serving in a series of increasingly responsible positions, as membership chairman, third, second, and first vice-president, and in 1964, as national president. With the BPW, Allan became a vocal advocate of women's rights, supporting and encouraging the role of women in the business world. She helped organize the National Federation's Young Career Women's Program, participated in numerous women's leadership conferences, and originated the concept of a nationwide network of State Commissions on the Status of Women. In addition to her BPW work, Allan in 1964 was appointed Regent of Eastern Michigan University, a position she held for ten years.

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