Elizabeth DeLong School
of the Deaf
Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2019-2020
2019-2020
Elizabeth DeLong. FamilySearch.org
History of the Naming of the School
Shortly after the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Administrators saw the story of Elizabeth DeLong, a prominent Deaf Utahn, posted on the Better Days 2020 website (written by Jodi Becker Kinner), they proposed that the new Deaf School in Springville, Utah be named after her.
Upon approval from the Utah State Board of Education and USDB Advisory Council in October 2019, USDB announced a new Deaf School in Springville, Utah. It is known as the “Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf,” named in honor of Elizabeth DeLong. The school opened on January 6, 2020. What a great way of honoring the legacy of Elizabeth DeLong!
Thanks to Michelle Tanner, Associate Superintendent, for collecting information about Elizabeth DeLong and presenting that material to the state board and Advisory Council.
Upon approval from the Utah State Board of Education and USDB Advisory Council in October 2019, USDB announced a new Deaf School in Springville, Utah. It is known as the “Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf,” named in honor of Elizabeth DeLong. The school opened on January 6, 2020. What a great way of honoring the legacy of Elizabeth DeLong!
Thanks to Michelle Tanner, Associate Superintendent, for collecting information about Elizabeth DeLong and presenting that material to the state board and Advisory Council.
A Short Biography of
Elizabeth DeLong
Elizabeth DeLong, a student at Gallaudet College, about 1902. The Delong Family Saga
Here is a short biography of Elizabeth DeLong if you are wondering who she is and what her accomplishments are.
Utah is honored to have Elizabeth DeLong, known as “Libbie,” who has many firsts. She was the first Deaf student from Utah to enter Gallaudet College in 1897 and first Deaf female Utah college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 1902. She was also the first in the family to complete her college education. She was the first Deaf teacher with a degree to teach at the Utah School for the Deaf and was the first Deaf female to be called as Superintendent of the Sunday School for the Ogden Branch for the Deaf. At the Utah Association of the Deaf convention in 1909, Libbie became the first Deaf female president of the association by beating two Deaf male candidates – and this was before the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 and before Deaf women were first allowed to vote in the National Association of the Deaf election in 1964. Lastly, she was also the first Deaf woman National Association of the Deaf state chapter association president in the entire nation.
After serving a second term as UAD president, Libbie gave a talk about women’s suffrage at the UAD Convention in 1915. It may have been possible that the early Utah’s suffrage movement influenced Libbie to achieve her educational, political, and spiritual aspirations.
Looking back, Libbie was the first in many of her accomplishments and she has inspired people both in her time and today. Utah is fortunate to have her as an inspirational leader on behalf of the Utah Deaf community.
Additional Story About Libbie
Elizabeth DeLong at Gallaudet College. The DeLong Family Saga
Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf, Springville, Utah @ Utah Department of Heritage & Arts