File:Edna Virginia Wenner (1892 - 1980) Distinguished Citizen 1977.jpg

Brunswick Distinguished Citizen

Edna Virginia Wenner

Born: February 24, 1892 – Died: December 1980, buried St Marks, Petersville, MD

Brunswick Distinguished Citizen 1977 – From Brunswick: 100 Years of Memories: One of nine children of Edna Virginia Garret and Charles Malcolm Wenner, Sr., Edna Virginia Wenner received her early education in Shenk’s Seminary and St. Francis Parochial School, graduating from Brunswick High, then located between East A and Potomac Streets, in 191. She began her teaching career in 1911 at the West Brunswick Elementary School, located next to the present Brunswick Post Office. In 1918 she became principal of Brunswick Elementary, continuing in that post until transferring to Parkway Elementary School in Frederick in 1932. After teaching at Middletown briefly, she returned to West Brunswick Elementary in 1946, retiring as principal in 19598 after 48 years in teaching. She held a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Virginia and was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church. From Smoketown History, courtesy of Peter Wenner: E. Virginia (Patty) Wenner was the first woman to serve as a school principal in Frederick County before he came out of retirement to be the first head of the consolidated Brunswick Elementary School in 1952. Descended from a long line of teachers, she was the first woman public school principal in Frederick County at Middletown Elementary School.

Known as a good teacher and tough disciplinarian, Miss Wenner was considered uniquely qualified as a Brunswick native to lead the consolidation of public elementary schools in town. She had to grapple with 2 challenges. First was the merging of 2 schools that had long been rivals. Second was the desegregation of the U.S. public school system that was working its way through the courts in the early 1950s.

1910 United States Federal Census Name: Edna V Wenner Age in 1910: 18 Birth Year: abt 1892 Birthplace: Maryland Home in 1910: Brunswick Ward 2, Frederick, Maryland Street: Maple Avenue Race: White Gender: Female Relation to Head of House: Daughter Marital Status: Single Father's name: Charles M Wenner Father's Birthplace: Maryland Mother's name: Edna V Wenner Mother's Birthplace: Maryland Native Tongue: English Attended School: Yes Able to Read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

Household Members: Name Age Charles M Wenner 47 Edna V Wenner 43 Charles M Wenner Jr 24 Edward G Wenner 22 Charles F Wenner 20 Edna V Wenner 18 Annie L Wenner 16 William B Wenner 14 Edith O Wenner 12 Richmond G Wenner 10 Margaret C Wenner 7 Lavania C Wenner 76

1940 United States Federal Census Name: Edna Wenner Age: 48 Estimated birth year: abt 1892 Gender: Female Race: White Birthplace: Maryland Marital Status: Single Relation to Head of House: Mother Home in 1940: Brunswick, Frederick, Maryland Street: Maple House Number: 832 Inferred Residence in 1935: Brunswick, Frederick, Maryland Residence in 1935: Same House Citizenship: Naturalized Sheet Number: 7B Attended School or College: No Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year Income Other Sources: No Household Members: Name Age Malcomb Wenner 54 Evelyn Wenner 39 Virginia Wenner 73 Edna Wenner 48 Mary Padgett 54

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 Name: E. Wenner

Last Residence: 21716 Brunswick, Frederick, Maryland, USA BORN: 24 Feb 1892 Last Benefit: 21716, Brunswick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America Died: Dec 1980 State (Year) SSN issued: Maryland (1956)