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Elizabeth DeLong
​School of the Deaf


Written by Jodi Becker Kinner

Published in 2019
Updated in 2020


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Elizabeth DeLong. FamilySearch.org

History of the Naming ​of the School

After seeing the biography of Elizabeth DeLong, a renowned Deaf Utahn, posted on the Better Days 2020 website (authored by Jodi Becker Kinner), the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Administrators recommended that the new Deaf School in Springville, Utah be named after her. 

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Michelle Tanner @ Twitter

In October 2019, USDB announced the opening of a new Deaf School in Springville, Utah, after receiving approval from the Utah State Board of Education and the USDB Advisory Council. The school is named the "Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf," after Elizabeth DeLong. The school first opened its doors on January 6, 2020. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to Elizabeth DeLong's legacy! 

Thanks to USD Associate Superintendent Michelle Tanner for gathering information on Elizabeth DeLong and presenting it for approval to the State Board and Advisory Council.

A Short Biography of Elizabeth DeLong


If you're intrigued about who Elizabeth DeLong is and what she's accomplished, here's a brief biography. 

We, the Utah Deaf community, are fortunate to have Elizabeth DeLong, also known as "Libbie,"  who has a long list of firsts. She was the first Deaf student from Utah to enroll at Gallaudet College in 1897 and the first Deaf woman from Utah to receive a bachelor's degree in 1902. She was also the first in her family to graduate from college. She was the first Deaf female Superintendent of the Sunday School for the Ogden Branch of the Deaf and the first Deaf teacher with a degree to teach at the Utah School for the Deaf. Libbie became the first Deaf female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1909, defeating two Deaf male candidates—this was before the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 and before Deaf women were allowed to vote in the National Association of the Deaf election in 1965. Finally, she was the first Deaf woman to lead a state chapter of the National Association of the Deaf in the United States. ​

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Elizabeth DeLong at a young age @ FamiilySearch

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Libbie as a student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, about 1895 @ DeLong Family Saga

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Elizabeth DeLong, a student at Gallaudet College, about 1902. The Delong Family Saga

Libbie gave a speech advocating women's suffrage at the UAD Convention in 1915 after serving a second term as president. It is believed that Libbie was inspired by the early Utah suffrage movement to achieve her academic, political, and spiritual goals.

In retrospect, Libbie was the first to achieve many of her ambitions and continues to inspire people today. Utah is fortunate to have her in a leadership role for our Utah Deaf community.


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Elizabeth DeLong. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963

Additional Story About Libbie 


  • Biography of Elizabeth DeLong (PDF) 

  • ​Elizabeth DeLong. The DeLong Family Saga (PDF)
 
  • Elizabeth DeLong. Better Days 2020 (Website) 
 
  • Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf (Website) 

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Elizabeth DeLong at Gallaudet College. The DeLong Family Saga

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Elizabeth DeLong, the first Deaf female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, 1909

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Elizabeth DeLong as a young woman

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Libbie and friends on the road @ FamilySearch

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Libbie & her husband, Loran Savage, about 1930 @ DeLong Family Saga

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Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf at Springville Campus in Springville, Utah @ USDB Website