Matilda Allison
{{Short description|American educator (1888–1973)}}
{{Infobox person
| image = MatildaAllison1922.png
| alt = A smiling white woman with short dark hair and eyes tightly closed, wearing a gingham-check dress, hand resting on a braille book
| caption = Allison posing with a braille book, from a 1922 publication
| other_names = {{hlist|Tillie Allison|Mathilda Allison|Matilda Lavery|Matilda Allison Williams}}
| birth_name = Matilda Eva Allison
| birth_date = {{birth date|1888|2|18}}
| birth_place = Lincoln, California, US
| death_date = {{death date and age|1973|11|21|1888|2|18}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, US
| occupation = {{hlist|Stenographer|typist|educator}}
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| spouse(s) =
| relatives =
}}
Matilda Eva Allison (February 18, 1888 – November 21, 1973) was an American educator, a blind woman working with blind students, including veterans of World War I. She passed California's civil service examination in 1919, opening career opportunities for other blind office workers.
Early life and education
Allison was from Lincoln, California,{{Cite news|date=January 27, 1922|title=The Life Work of Blind Girl|page=7|work=Napa Valley Register|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19220127.2.59&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200555/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19220127.2.59&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} the daughter of William Allison and Ingeborg Catherina Krogh (later Engellenner). She was blinded by an injury when she was seven years old.{{Cite journal|last=Henderson|first=George C.|date=October 14, 1922|title=Blind--But She Can Read Human Character|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2Y6AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA48-PA9|journal=Dearborn Independent|pages=9|access-date=January 19, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121003824/https://books.google.com/books?id=y2Y6AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA48-PA9|url-status=live}} She was raised mainly by her Danish-born mother{{Cite news|date=1945-03-01|title=Local Citizen Dies Suddenly at the Age of 78|pages=1|work=Lincoln News Messenger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57167961/obit-mrs-ingeborg-crough-engellenner/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119024808/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57167961/obit-mrs-ingeborg-crough-engellenner/|url-status=live}} and grandmother.{{Cite news|date=April 20, 1922|title=Death of Mrs. Cedarquist|page=9|work=Napa Valley Register|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19220420.2.64&srpos=14&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203902/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19220420.2.64&srpos=14&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} She graduated at the top of her class from the California School for the Deaf and Blind in 1909.{{Cite book|last=Clarke|first=Mrs Ida Clyde Gallagher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGgvAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA167|title=Women of Today|date=1923|publisher=Women of Today Press|pages=167|language=en|access-date=2022-01-19|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121003827/https://books.google.com/books?id=cGgvAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA167|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=June 9, 1909|title=Blind and Deaf Students Graduate|page=8|work=San Francisco Call|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19090609.2.82.22&srpos=13&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118202307/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19090609.2.82.22&srpos=13&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1908-06-05|title=Blind Students to Appear in Concert|pages=4|work=Oakland Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938551/blind-students-to-appear-in-concert/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119032026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938551/blind-students-to-appear-in-concert/|url-status=live}} In 1910, she was briefly institutionalized as despondent and "suddenly insane", but soon recovered.{{Cite news|date=June 30, 1910|title=Talented Blind Woman Suddenly Insane|page=4|work=Auburn Journal|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=AJ19100630.2.38&srpos=11&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118202307/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=AJ19100630.2.38&srpos=11&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=June 30, 1910|title=Blind Girl Goes Insane|page=9|work=Sacramento Daily Union|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19100630.2.108&srpos=20&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203902/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19100630.2.108&srpos=20&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} She was one of the early West Coast graduates of The Seeing Eye training course, when it was held in Berkeley in 1930.{{Cite news|date=1930-03-28|title=Miss Allison and Reginald White of Napa Take Training; to Receive Police Dogs|pages=1|work=The Napa Valley Register|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916209/miss-allison-and-reginald-white-of-napa/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916209/miss-allison-and-reginald-white-of-napa/|url-status=live}}
Career
In the 1920s Allison worked as a dictaphone operator, typist, and clinical stenographer,{{Cite news|date=July 11, 1922|title=California Girl is a Big Success as Stenographer|page=2|work=Merced Sun-Star|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MSS19220711.2.18&srpos=6&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200555/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MSS19220711.2.18&srpos=6&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} and taught newly-blind veterans at Napa State Hospital.{{Cite news|date=April 12, 1924|title=Blind Girl is Stenographer in Western Hospital|page=13|work=San Pedro Daily Pilot|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SPNP19240412.2.112&srpos=4&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118202129/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SPNP19240412.2.112&srpos=4&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} "My routine day consists of taking clinical, pathological and bacteriological dictation from nine doctors," she told a 1922 interviewer. She also volunteered as a braille teacher at the state soldiers' home in Yountville,{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hKs9AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA23-PA17|title=California State Library, Books for the Blind Department, News Notes|date=1922|pages=17|language=en|chapter=Report of Catharine J. Morrison, Home Teacher of the Blind, July 1, 1921 to June 30, 1922|access-date=January 19, 2022|archive-date=January 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126152624/https://books.google.com/books?id=hKs9AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA23-PA17|url-status=live}} and traveled to Hawaii in 1925 to lecture on blind education there.{{Cite news|date=October 10, 1925|title=Blind Stenographer Returns to Napa|page=5|work=Blue Lake Advocate|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=BLA19251010.2.50&srpos=12&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118202307/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=BLA19251010.2.50&srpos=12&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} "She being blind herself, having, by supreme effort secured a wonderful education, devotes much of her time in instructing the blind throughout this country", a 1928 report explained.{{Cite news|date=1928-01-13|title=Former Lincoln Girl Honored by Visit of Noted Englishman|pages=8|work=Lincoln News Messenger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57168988/matilda-allison-honored-by-visit-of/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200555/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57168988/matilda-allison-honored-by-visit-of/|url-status=live}} She was also assistant editor of the Imola Times, an internal newspaper of the Napa State Hospital.{{Cite news|date=December 13, 1921|title=Matilda Allison Goes on Vacation|page=1|work=Napa Valley Register|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19211213.2.12&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200624/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NVR19211213.2.12&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}}
Allison was described as "the first blind person in America to pass a state civil service examination", or at least the first in California. She took the California civil service examination, and passed in 1919,{{Cite news|date=1919-08-21|title=Fruitvale|pages=8|work=Lincoln News Messenger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938694/fruitvale/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119033109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938694/fruitvale/|url-status=live}} allowing her to expect the same pay as sighted typists and stenographers.{{Cite book|last=Clarke|first=Ida Clyde|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7jwpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA167|title=Women of 1923 International|date=1923|publisher=John C. Winston, Women's News Service|pages=167|language=en|access-date=2022-01-19|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121003824/https://books.google.com/books?id=7jwpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA167|url-status=live}} Her effort also opened the California civil service examination to other blind applicants.
Allison taught classes in braille transcription.{{Cite news|date=1926-06-13|title=Napa Teacher of Blind is Given Praise for Work|pages=2|work=The Press Democrat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916030/napa-teacher-of-blind-is-given-praise/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221014/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916030/napa-teacher-of-blind-is-given-praise/|url-status=live}} She gave lectures and demonstrations of her office skills at business colleges, and spoke to community groups and girls' organizations as well.{{Cite news|date=December 26, 1921|title=Miss Matilda Allison, Blind Typist, Advises Campfire Group to Save|page=10|work=Sacramento Daily Union|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19211226.2.126&srpos=7&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118202131/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19211226.2.126&srpos=7&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}} She lectured on guide dogs with her own German shepherd companion, Betty,{{Cite news|date=October 10, 1930|title=New Story of Dogs by Blind Speaker to be in Belvedere|work=Mill Valley Record|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MVR19301010.2.46&srpos=5&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118200624/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MVR19301010.2.46&srpos=5&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1930-06-21|title=Miss Matilda Allison Will Speak to St. Helena Rotary|pages=8|work=Napa Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92907806/miss-matilda-allison-will-speak-to-st/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92907806/miss-matilda-allison-will-speak-to-st/|url-status=live}} and her success with a guide dog was considered by the California legislature, in support of a 1931 resolution to furnish guide dogs to blind veterans.{{Cite book|last1=California|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MPYhAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA81|title=Appendix to the Journals of the Senate and Assembly ... of the Legislature of the State of California ...|last2=Legislature|first2=California|date=1931|publisher=Sup't State Printing|pages=81|language=en|access-date=2022-01-19|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121003826/https://books.google.com/books?id=MPYhAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA81|url-status=live}}
She was California state chaplain of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion. She addressed radio audiences in 1930,{{Cite news|date=1930-05-28|title=Miss Allison to Speak Over KLX|pages=3|work=Napa Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92915823/miss-allison-to-speak-over-klx/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92915823/miss-allison-to-speak-over-klx/|url-status=live}} and was elected to serve as delegate to the American Legion Auxiliary's national convention in Boston that year, where she was a candidate for national chaplain of the organization.{{Cite news|date=1930-08-21|title=Hayward Legion Woman Elected National Envoy|pages=1|work=Daily Review|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916556/hayward-legion-woman-elected-national/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916556/hayward-legion-woman-elected-national/|url-status=live}} She was also president of the Napa YWCA Council, vice-president of the California Association for the Blind,{{Cite news|date=1932-10-17|title=Weds In Napa|pages=8|work=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57807252/weds-in-napa/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119022643/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57807252/weds-in-napa/|url-status=live}} and a charter member of the East Bay Club of Blind Women.{{Cite news|date=October 21, 1932|title=Blind Woman Active In Organizations; Miss Allison Works For Welfare Of The Blind|page=8|work=Mill Valley Record|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MVR19321021.2.83&srpos=18&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|access-date=January 18, 2022|via=California Digital Newspaper Collection|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203905/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MVR19321021.2.83&srpos=18&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Matilda+Allison-------1|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1932-10-15|title=Matilda Allison to Wed Captain Lavery Tomorrow|pages=3|work=The Napa Valley Register|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92917463/matilda-allison-to-wed-captain-lavery/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92917463/matilda-allison-to-wed-captain-lavery/|url-status=live}}
As Matilda Allison Williams after her second marriage, she was executive director of Voluntary Aid for the Blind.{{Cite news|date=1938-07-06|title=Matilda E. Allison Marries Palo Alto Man|pages=8|work=Santa Rosa Republican|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92935540/matilda-e-allison-marries-palo-alto-man/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119023644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92935540/matilda-e-allison-marries-palo-alto-man/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Hansen|first=Annie|date=1949-08-18|title=Out Our Way|pages=3|work=Lincoln News Messenger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92937214/out-our-wayannie-hansen/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119030154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92937214/out-our-wayannie-hansen/|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Matilda Allison married at least three times. She married her first husband, James Barr Lavery, an executive at the blind soldiers' home, in 1932.{{Cite news|date=1932-10-17|title=Blind Teacher of Blind Weds Official of Veterans' Home|pages=2|work=Oakland Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92908103/blind-teacher-of-blind-weds-official-of/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92908103/blind-teacher-of-blind-weds-official-of/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1932-10-19|title=Blind Teacher Weds Official at Veteran's Home|pages=8|work=Petaluma Argus-Courier|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69653899/blind-teacher-weds-official-at/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69653899/blind-teacher-weds-official-at/|url-status=live}} In 1934, she was declared incompetent and placed under a legal guardianship. Her sister, Mabel Ida Bidwell, served as her guardian, until Edgar Williams took over in 1936.{{Cite news|date=1934-04-17|title=Superior Court News|pages=6|work=The Napa Valley Register|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92920005/superior-court-news/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118225618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92920005/superior-court-news/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1934-04-24|title=Superior Court News|pages=5|work=Napa Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92920148/superior-court-news/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118230402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92920148/superior-court-news/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=1936-10-08|title=Former Civil Service Head Appointed Guardian of Matilda Allison Lavery|pages=2|work=Napa Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92922211/former-civil-service-head-appointed/|access-date=2022-01-18|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118232758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92922211/former-civil-service-head-appointed/|url-status=live}} In 1937, she was ruled competent again.{{Cite news|date=1937-11-09|title=Ruled Competent|pages=8|work=Napa Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92917045/ruled-competent/|access-date=2022-01-18|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92917045/ruled-competent/|url-status=live}} Edgar Williams, her guardian, became her second husband in 1938; he died in 1953.{{Cite news|date=1953-06-09|title=Rites Held for E. Williams, Publisher, Worker for Blind|pages=2|work=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92934157/rites-held-for-e-williams-publisher/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119022643/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92934157/rites-held-for-e-williams-publisher/|url-status=live}} In 1967, she was known as Mrs. Gerald McLean.{{Cite news|last=Ezettie|first=Louis|date=1967-03-08|title=Napa's Past and Present|pages=40|work=The Napa Valley Register|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938956/napas-past-and-presentlouis-ezettie/|access-date=2022-01-19|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=2022-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119033111/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92938956/napas-past-and-presentlouis-ezettie/|url-status=live}}
References
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Category:American blind people
Category:People from Lincoln, California
Category:American people of Danish descent
Category:20th-century American women educators
Category:20th-century American educators
Category:Educators from California