Group pays tribute to 6 black educators

The honorees began their careers when few blacks were teaching here.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Six educators were honored Saturday by the Associated Neighborhood Centers and Youngstown Area Alliance of Black School Educators at the annual "Salute to Black Educators Luncheon" at McGuffey Centre, Jacobs Road.
The educators began their careers when few blacks were involved in the local school system.
Those recognized for their commitment to education are:
Catherine Conoly-Allison of Bennington Avenue, Youngstown; retired from the West School in 1993; graduated in 1944 from The Rayen School at 16 and earned two bachelor's degrees from Youngstown College. Her professor wasn't sure she would be able to do her student teaching as there were no blacks teaching at the high school level here in 1948. She was allowed to do her student teaching at Hayes Middle School.
Dr. Jean A.B. Williams, Winona Drive, Youngstown; former librarian, teacher of students who are severely retarded, music consultant and special education program coordinator, she last worked as an instructor at Youngstown State University for exceptional children in reading, math and social studies, having left that post in 1997; graduated from The Rayen School and earned degrees from Morgan State and Kent State universities.
Joseph S. Conley Sr., Cherry Hill Avenue, Youngstown; former elementary and junior high school teacher; graduated from The Rayen School in 1954 and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Youngstown State University; the first black teacher at Kirkmere Elementary at a time when there were no black pupils there.
Volena E. Hardy-Gray, Sunshine Avenue, Youngstown; retired in 1995 from Chaney High School after a 40-year career in the Youngstown city schools; grew up in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and earned degrees from Alabama A & amp;M and Kent State universities; came to Youngstown to take a job in teaching.
Mary L. Orton Gross, Lake Shore Drive, Youngstown; retired in 1987 from Jackson Elementary School and had the privilege of teaching a little girl named Wendy in the third grade at Grant School. Wendy grew up to become Dr. Wendy Webb, current Youngstown superintendent of schools; grew up in Louisville, Ky., and earned degrees from Central State University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Edna G. Pettigrew, Crandall Avenue, Youngstown; retired in 1987 from Volney Rogers Junior High School after 35 years in the Youngstown schools; graduated from The Rayen School and earned degrees from Bowling Green State, Kent State and Youngstown State universities.