Black History Month: Yvonne G. Allen
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WHITEVILLE, Tenn. — Her awards still line the walls of Whiteville Elementary, the school Yvonne G. Allen served as principal for more than two decades. “Other people always brought it to my attention that I am the first African American female principal in Hardeman County,” Allen said. Allen changed the school once known to many in the community as ‘the graveyard’ because of low test scores, into an international success story. “There were people who would say I was too young and wouldn’t make it my first year,” she said. Allen was only 28 when she became principal of the school. She served in the position for almost 25 years. In 1993 the school was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a ‘Blue Ribbon School of Excellence’. Under Allen’s leadership Whiteville Elementary was also cited as a topnotch school by Redbook Magazine, twice. “It wasn’t to build Yvonne Allen up,” Allen said modestly. “It was to build Whiteville Elementary up.” Allen has since retired as principal but remains active on several statewide education commissions and advisory committees. She also traveled abroad lecturing on education. Allen said she hopes her career serves as a model to her former students.
