b. 1885 d. 1964

Elsie McCoy dedicated her life to peace and understanding between people. This 2010 Outstanding Woman considered her work in this arena to be the most important aspect of her life.

Although her profession was education, Elsie’s passion and ultimate commitment was to peace. She was born and died in Clinton County, but her educational pursuits and her work for amity took her to many places.

She received two bachelor of arts degrees, from Wilmington College and Ohio State University. She went on to teach at the Friend’s University in Wichita, Kansas for a couple of years before returning to Ohio State for her master’s degree in 1912, making her something of a pioneer. She taught at Wilmington College for several years, studied in Europe, then taught at Earlham College.

Elsie fell ill with undulant fever (brucellosis), a bacterial infection that can have chronic complications and spent 1929 to 1935 in Colorado Springs fighting this disease. She returned to Wilmington to live out the remainder of her life, briefly teaching Spanish at Wilmington College.

During her time in Wilmington, Elsie was instrumental in organizing support for the Friends Reconstruction work in Europe following WWI. She was an organizer of the American Friends Service Committee, a national and international Quaker peace, justice and relief organization, which got its start in 1917 as an alternative for young Quakers during WWI who were opposed to fighting.

Elsie was also an active member in the Friends Fellowship Council, an affiliate of the Friends World Committee, an organization which coordinates Friends activities worldwide.

Elsie’s work for peace in Clinton County did not hit its stride until her return in the mid-30’s. For decades, she was active in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and president of the group in 1944. This organization was some 600 strong in Clinton County in the height of prohibition. She was this group’s representative to the Community Peace Council.

The most impacting legacy Elsie left Clinton County was her work for school integration. She played a vital role in integrating Wilmington College, one of the first schools in the country to admit minorities and women. Elsie also worked for years to integrate Midland School, formerly located at the corner of Douglas and Grant Streets.

The school was set aside as a pre-high school for African-American children. She advocated both locally and nationally, and helped support others fighting for this cause. The integration final happened in 1954.

A number of other organizations benefited from Elsie’s dedication: the Progress Club, Church Women United, and the Rural Policy Association. All of these organizations focused on improving the lives of those in their community.

Elsie’s commitment to Wilmington College also produced lasting legacies. She and her siblings funded the large meeting room in Kelly Religious Center. The room is named for them. She served on the board of trustees as secretary and vice-president. Elsie left the college her home which is now the internationally renowned Peace Resource Center (PRC).

This “prophet of peace”, as she was called at the PRC’s rededication, was honored just prior to her death in 1962 by Wilmington College with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees.

Elsie McCoy was the embodiment of service to others, dedicating her entire life to better her neighbors’ lives. So much of her legacy is taken for granted in these modern times - a true sign that she helped make progress happen in Clinton County.