# @watchtheyard on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DTOqk1Kiapj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/38672058-watchtheyard-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/dc2e2ceec8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-01-08T00:12:35.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Watch The Yard (@watchtheyard) — https://gondola.cc/watchtheyard

## Caption

Did you know that Elizabeth Duncan Koontz was a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.? 💙🤍

An honorary member since 1965, Koontz left an indelible mark on American education, civil rights, and the women’s movement.

Koontz began her career as a teacher for special-needs children before ascending to national leadership in education. 

She made history in 1968 as the first African-American president of the National Education Association (NEA), where she established the Human and Civil Rights Division to champion equity in education. Her influence reached the federal level when President Nixon appointed her in 1969 as the first African-American director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau. In this role, she advanced gender equity, fought employment discrimination, promoted the Equal Rights Amendment, and represented the U.S. on international stages like the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Throughout her life, Koontz received numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates from Howard University, Livingstone College, and others. An elementary school in Salisbury was named in her honor. Even after her federal service, she continued to impact education as North Carolina’s assistant state school superintendent and served on key educational boards. Elizabeth Duncan Koontz passed away in 1989, but her legacy as an educator, advocate, and proud Zeta continues to inspire generations.

👉🏾 Click on the link in our bio(watchtheyard) for the full article.

#WatchTheYard #ZetaPhiBeta

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## Tags

watchtheyard, zetaphibeta

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