Albion Interactive History / People / Public Schools

Lena Cable, 1888
Teacher and West Ward Principal
 
    Died 1983

Lena Cable, a black woman, was hired as the teacher by the Albion school board on October 3, 1917. She first taught black students at the Community Church, and later at the West WardSchool.

The board of education hired Lena Cable’s husband Robert to serve as principal of West Ward School in 1920. He thus became the district’s first black administrator. Cable alsotaught grades 5 and 6 at West Ward, and served until 1927 when he left due to health problems. His wife Lena replaced him, and served as principal at West Ward School until her retirement in 1953.

Source: Frank Passic. A History of the Albion Public Schools. Albion, Michigan: E. Weil Publishing Services. 1991.