In September of 1932, when the country was engulfed in the Great Depression and Franklin Roosevelt was campaigning for President, a new school opened in Peoria, Illinois. Built on the edge of swampy lowlands known as Goose Lake, the school was named for Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President.

The school lies in the middle of a natural amphitheatre, with hills rising on two sides.

It opened its doors to 1,000 eighth- and ninth-graders, from Peoria's Southside, the West Bluff, Bartonville and as far west as Hanna City. The students, most of whom had attended turn-of-the-century grade schools, must have been surprised at the city's first real junior high.

Designed as a transition from grade to high school, Roosevelt Junior High School featured a 2,000 capacity gymnasium, 1,200-seat auditorium and specially-equipped rooms for wood shop, home economics, science, music and art. The school won an international award for its beauty and utility.

In 1969, Roosevelt became a kindergarten through eigth grade school and later a magnet school for the fine arts. Through these hallways have passed generations of educators, politicians, entrepreneurs, war veterans, physicians, attorneys, parents, athletes, scientists and musicians.

In 2022, Roosevelt Magnet School for the Fine Arts was renamed The Elise Ford Allen Academy.

In 1966, Elise Ford Allen became the first Black woman in Peoria to found and edit a newspaper. She believed Peoria needed a newspaper that focused on African-American issues, interests and accomplishments. The Traveler Weekly, published by the printing company founded by her and her husband, James O. Allen, was a vehicle for her to express her thoughts and concerns.

Allen believed education was key to fighting inequality – knowledge brings the understanding and the opportunity to affect change through the political processes that govern this country.

Allen was born in 1921. Her father Dr. Cecil Bruce Ford was Peoria’s first Black dentist. Her mother, Frances Harrison, was a well-known seamstress. Her grandfather, Major George Ford, was an original member of the legendary, 10th Cavalry, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

Elise Ford Allen and James O. Allen raised ten children. She was the first Black president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at McKinley Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Manual High School.

The list of firsts, accolades and accomplishments are a testament to her dedication to education, her community and boundless energy. Among them:

• First Black member YWCA Board of Managers

• First Black board member, Peoria Girl Scouts

• Founded the first 4-H Club for Black girls

• Outstanding Business Women Award, National Association of University Women

• Outstanding Community Service in the field of Journalism, Peoria NAACP

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service Leadership Award

Allen ran for mayor of Peoria in 1973. The Elise Ford Allen Award for Outstanding Student Achiever was established in 1985.

Allen lived to be 100 years old. In celebration of her birthday, she received a proclamation from the City of Peoria, State Senator Dave Koehler, Governor J.B. Pritzker and the African-American Hall of Fame Museum.