Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) was a teacher and civil rights activist who crusaded for the rights of women and children. After her death, when the Constitution was amended to give women the right to vote, the 19th Amendment was referred to as the Anthony Amendment. The Fresno branch of the American Association of University Women nominated the name of Susan B. Anthony for this school. This school, at 1542 E. Webster Ave. was constructed in 1993.

Jane Addams (1860-1936), a native of Illinois, was an early leader in working with the poor, the Labor Movement and in the fight for women’s rights, especially the right to vote. She wrote extensively and held doctoral degrees from nine universities. The school at 2117 W. McKinley Ave. was originally part of the Teilman School District and known as Teilman School #2. Fresno Unified changed the name to honor Jane Addams when it annexed the school in 1931.

Ann M. Leavenworth (1924-1983) dedicated her life to education. She was a professor of history and political science at Fresno State, taking an active interest in her students and inspiring many of them to surpass their own expectations. She was also parent volunteer and organized efforts to promote educational opportunities for students from all walks of life. She served on the Fresno Unified School District Board of Education for many years, including as president in 1968-69. In 1978, Ms. Leavenworth was appointed to the State Board of Education and served as its president from 1980-83. Leavenworth Elementary, at 4420 E. Thomas Ave., was completed in 1994.

Alice Birney (1858-1907) co-founded the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the national level in 1897 (originally called the National Congress of Mothers). The school was named to honor the PTA, as well as Mrs. Birney, for its continuous and effective support of public schools. The school, at 3034 E. Cornell Ave., was first listed in the 1949-50 Fresno Unified School District directory.

Mollie Schissel Bakman and her five children moved to Fresno in 1929. She purchased 160 acres of land and planted cotton, grapes and peaches. By 1930 the Bakman Ranch consisted of peaches, alfalfa and a small dairy supplying cream to the local Danish Creamery. Ms. Bakman was a loved member of her community. The school, at 580 N. Helm Ave., opened on August 22, 2005.

Edith and Hazel Ayer were dedicated long-time teachers in Fresno Unified. Edith Ayer served continuously at Edison High School here from 1921 to 1956 as a teacher, counselor and dean of girls. Hazel Ayer devoted 38 years of continuous service to the children of the Kirk Elementary School. The school, at 5272 E. Lowe Ave., opened in 1980.

Dorothy Starr was a dedicated, effective and greatly respected teacher at Malloch Elementary School, and also taught at Heaton Elementary School for many years prior to Malloch. To ease overcrowding at Malloch, a school was planned and named after Mrs. Starr in the fall of 1973, as Mrs. Starr was terminally ill with cancer. Starr Elementary opened in 1974, housing students in temporary structures moved from the old Emerson School site at Santa Clara and K streets. The school is located at 1780 W. Sierra Ave. Mrs. Starr served in the Navy a brief time during World War II.

Margaret Robinson was active in civic affairs in Fresno and a member of the Fresno Unified Board of Education from 1937 to 1963, serving as the first female president from 1953 to 1955. Mrs. Robinson was the area executive secretary of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis for 16 years, as well as head of the area March of Dimes program during that time. She also served for 28 years on the parks and recreation board. Robinson Elementary, located at 555 E. Browning Ave., was first listed in the 1962-63 Fresno Unified directory.

Florence E. Rata was a long-time teacher in Fresno Unified, dedicating much of her career to serving students with mental challenges at the secondary level. The White House Conference on Children took notice of Mrs. Rata’s success combining work experience with classroom instruction for students with mental challenges, leading to widespread adoption in instructional programs for students needing special education services. She later led work-study training for challenged students throughout Fresno Unified. Mrs. Rata retired in 1975.  The school, located at 1373 W. Mesa Ave., has been in operation since 1972.

May McCardle was an early outstanding teacher and educational leader and from a pioneering family who came to Fresno County in 1849. Miss McCardle began teaching in the Fresno County Schools in the 1890s, but soon joined the Fresno City Schools, where she taught fine arts and interior decorating at Fresno High School until her retirement in 1943. She was a lifelong advocate for high quality education through her activities, local and statewide, in the California Teachers Association during its very early days. McCardle Elementary, located at 577 E. Sierra Ave., was first listed in the 1972-73 Fresno Unified directory.

Ruth Gibson served for many years as the principal at Bullard School, later annexed by Fresno Unified. Under Ms. Gibson's leadership, Fresno State students trained to become teachers at Bullard School. She also administered North Bullard School, the site of Gibson Elementary. Ms. Gibson was an educator for 41 years, retiring in 1963. Ms. Gibson died in 1972. Gibson School, located at 1266 W. Barstow Ave., is first listed in the Fresno Unified directory in the 1958-59 school year.

The school, originally Sierra Junior High School, was renamed to honor Erma Duncan in the early 1980s when it became a high school with a focus on technical education. Erma Duncan founded Duncan Ceramics in 1946, expanding the business that she had started in her garage. Duncan Enterprises would eventually grow to be a major wholesaler of craft and do-it-yourself products. The school is located at 4330 E. Garland Ave.  

Deborah A. Williams (1953-1999) served Fresno Unified for 24 years as a teacher, counselor, vice principal and principal before her sudden death in 1999 at age 46. She had been principal at Addams Elementary School.  Ms. Williams positively influenced thousands of students and their families. In her writings she described education as the right of every individual, saying: “All children deserve the best education program possible. Where children live should not be a factor in providing students with an education. The majority of children and their parents come to school wanting to learn and achieve. Schools must provide them with a sound educational program. All children can learn, but the method of learning must meet their needs.” Williams Elementary, at 525 W. Saginaw Way, opened on August 20, 2007 with a dedication ceremony on October 9, 2007.

Elizabeth Terronez (1944-1992) was a teacher, vice principal and administrator in Fresno Unified, including serving as principal at Yosemite Middle School, Hoover High School and Bullard High School before her death in 1992 at age 48. Terronez, located at 2300 S. Willow Ave., opened in January of 2000.

Edith Barnett Storey (1901-1991) devoted her life to the education of children, her distinctive career in Fresno Unified spanning from 1922 to 1970. Not only was she an exemplary teacher of children, Mrs. Storey also trained student teachers and prospective principals. During World War II, in 1944, she taught illiterate soldiers at Hammer Field. Edith Storey was appointed director of the district’s childcare centers, the first woman in California to fill that type of position. Mrs. Storey was active in many civic organizations and was instrumental in the restoration of the Meux Home. At the time of her retirement, Mrs. Storey had served the district longer than any other employee.