New Orleans graduates reunite to honor vocational school that trained Black women for white-collar jobs
The Adult Education Center, which closed in 1972, taught shorthand and typing to 431 students who went on to integrate major corporate offices in the Deep South.
By Michael Bennett ·
For decades, a small vocational program in New Orleans served as a primary pathway for Black women to enter the white-collar workforce during the Civil Rights era. In mid-May 2026, alumni of that program gathered for a reunion to reflect on their shared history and the impact of their training.
The Adult Education Center opened its doors in 1965 at Exchange Place in the French Quarter. Founded by Father Timothy Gibbons, the school hired Alice Geoffray, a nationally recognized teacher, to lead the instruction. The curriculum focused on practical skills such as typewriting, shorthand, and job interviewing, preparing students for roles that were previously inaccessible to them.
Raphael Morgan enrolled at the center in 1970 after finishing high school. She said college was financially out of reach, making the center her best option for employment. "I paid $40 for books only, and we had shorthand, typing and job interviewing skills," Morgan said. She noted that her mother was relieved because she had felt guilty about not being able to afford a college education for her daughter.
Morgan described the job market before her training as discouraging. Employers often rejected her for lack of experience or specific skills. "It’s like a door slammed in your face," Morgan said. She added that her mother, who had worked in domestic roles, witnessed these same barriers throughout her own career.
Jeff Geoffray, son of the school's lead instructor, said his mother was not a political activist but a dedicated educator. He stated that she believed in the talent of her students rather than relying on blind faith. "Those women were the first African American secretaries in the Deep South. They integrated offices like Shell, Standard Oil, Pan-American Life and even city hall," Geoffray said.
Morgan completed her training in 1971 and later earned a teaching degree from the University of New Orleans. She worked for the Orleans Parish School Board and as an insurance adjuster, but she continued to teach. The center closed in 1972, having graduated a total of 431 women, the majority of whom were African American.
Today, Jeff Geoffray and his sister Jeanne operate the nonprofit 431 Exchange, named for the graduating class and the original address. The organization advocates for equal access to education and offers scholarships to adults pursuing higher learning. A PBS documentary detailing the history of the school and the nonprofit is expected to be released in 2027.
