Eleanor Joy Toll
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eleanor Joy Toll (July 9, 1869 — February 2, 1926) was an American educator and clubwoman based in Southern California. She taught at Los Angeles High School, helped found the Glendale Symphony Orchestra, and was the first woman appointed as trustee on the board at Scripps College.
Eleanor Margaret Joy was born in Winona, Minnesota, the daughter of William Henry Joy and Ruth Anna Morgan Joy. Her father served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The family moved to California in 1875.[1]
Career
Eleanor Joy taught at Los Angeles High School before she was married.[2] After her sons were in school, she became involved in the Parent-Teacher Federation of Glendale, serving as president, vice-president, and educational chair. In 1916 she founded the Mutual Benefit Reading Circle,[3] a weekly book group for mothers that soon grew too large to meet in her home, and had to relocate to the city library; the format was copied nationally.[4] In 1917, she was elected to the Glendale school board, and was president of the board for three years. In 1920, she was appointed a trustee of the California School for Girls in Ventura.[5] She was the first woman appointed to the board of trustees at Scripps College; however, she died before she was able to serve.[6]
As a clubwoman, Toll was a founding member of the Foothill Club, and president of the large and active Ebell Club of Los Angeles.[7] She was also the founder and first president of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra Association.[8]
