Ellen Haynes Green papers

Ellen Haynes Allen-Green was born in Port Tampa, Florida on May 19, 1915 to Samuel L. Haynes and Mamie Warmack Haynes. Educated in the public schools in Port Tampa, she became a leader and activist in the civil rights movement. Green became active in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in 1955, and was immediately elected recording secretary. She eventually became the financial secretary and vice-president and was elected president in 1959, giving her the distinction of becoming the first active female president of the NAACP Tampa. As an activist, Green demonstrated in the theaters and lunch counters of Tampa; behind the lines, she planned programs and raised money. In 1961, she stepped down as president following a heart attack. Green continued to remain active in the NAACP as well as the National Council of Negro Women, the West Tampa Advisory Council, the Southwest Civic Club, and the YWCA. Green was also active in the Mt. Zion AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Port Tampa. Her lifetime of service included being a Sunday school student, secretary, assistant superintendent and superintendent for 25 years, and a junior teacher for more than 40 years.  Additionally, she served as an usher for 54 years. Professionally, Ellen Green spent 47 years at Afro-American Life Insurance, 29 years at Central Life Insurance, and 11 years at the Pallbearers Grand Union as the Financial Secretary.

Ellen Green was twice widowed; her marriage to Ernest D. Allen produced a son (Carl), daughter (Irma), and stepson (Clyde). At the time of her death in 2006, Ellen Green was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. In honor of her accomplishments, the first floor reading room in the Port Tampa City Library is dedicated as the Ellen H. Green Reading Room.