Orie Greene (1922-2005) was one of the first Black teachers in Washington State. She was born in Arkansas and raised in St. Louis. In 1949, Greene was hired as a teacher in Bremerton, WA, becoming the first Black teacher in that district. She moved to Seattle in 1953 and was hired by Seattle Public Schools. During her career in Seattle schools, Greene taught at several elementary schools, worked in human resources, and served as principal of University Heights Elementary School. Greene retired in 1980 but remained an active member of the community. She was part of the Black Professional Educators, Seattle Retired Teachers Association, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Links Inc., and the Church Council of Greater Seattle. In 1988 Greene, along with several other of the first Black teachers in Seattle, was honored for her service by the Black Heritage Society of Washington State.

This image shows Greene in 1972, when she was principal of University Heights Elementary.

Caption information source: “Orie Williams Greene, 1921-2005: One of the first black teachers in area is recalled fondly,” by Debera Harrell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 25, 2005, retrieved from https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Orie-Williams-Greene-1922-2005-One-of-first-1171786.php.
Caption information source: “Pioneering teachers honored,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 21, 1988, page B1.