The Founder
Alice Louise Benekin was born June 11, 1921 to Joseph and Alice Gardner Benekin in Jacksonville, Florida. She was the fourth of seven daughters. She was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey for approximately 35 years. She departed this life of July 4, 2007 at home.
She attended the public schools of Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Stanton High School in 1949. Her college education included an AA Degree from Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida; BS Degree, Central State College, Wilberforce, Ohio; MA Degree, New York University, New York City; and post graduate study in the Doctoral Program, Supervision-Administration, New York University. Additional study included courses at Rutgers University, Farleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey; Catholic University, Washington, D.C.; Forah Bay University College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
She was employed by Bergen County School System and worked at Teaneck High School for 24 years in the Business Department as Chairperson for eight years. Alice resigned from this position to update curriculum offerings, authored a proposal for a work-study program, Cooperative Office Education (COE), and served as its coordinator.
She taught Advanced Stenography – Transcription Beginning and Advanced Typewriting; Careers in Office Education; Consumer Economics; Accounting; Marketing and Sales; Coordinator, Distributive Education, and retired in June of 1992.
Alice was a member of the National Education Association, Life Member; New Jersey Education Association, Life Member; Bergen County Education Association, Retired Member; Association of Secondary School Supervisors and Department heads of New Jersey, Retired; and Delta Pi Epsilon Graduate Honorary Fraternity.
As active in her church, Galilee United Methodist Church, Alice participated and headed many committees and programs there included membership in the Chancel Choir, coordinating Holy Land travel tours, community outreach programs for worship and feeding the Hungry and being actively participating in many other church programs.
Community involvement was as important to Alice as her church involvement. She was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for over 30 years. As an active member Alice held positions from President to Parliamentarian. Alice was also active in the Coalition of 100 Black Women; she held many positions within the organization and on its committees.
Alice had many distinguished honors over her lifetime. The “Alice L. Benekin Scholarship Fund” was named in her honor upon her retirement from Teaneck High School in 1992. Alice received a plaque and certificate from Edgehill United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee for service to outreach program. Alice was awarded the Bergen Country Education Association Certificate of Appreciation for Service; the New Jersey Education Association Certificate of Appreciation for Service; the united Methodist Women Award.; the Galilee United Methodist Church Award; and Who’s Who in Vocational Education.
A LIFE WELL LIVED – A LIFE WITH PURPOSE – A LIFE ENJOYED