NAWSA   General Correspondence    Luce, Allena


Rivadavia 6100
Buenas Aires

Dear Miss Blackwell:
A Happy and 
prosperous new year to you!
Have you met my friends,
the Stocknalls.
This March our school (The
American Section) is to have
new quarters twice large as the
present ones.  I am beginning
my third year as Principal of
the American High School.
In September, 1933, I want
to come back to the U.S. and to
college teaching (Spanish or Student
personnel. Of course Boston University
is my first choice, but there seems no
vacancy. We enjoyed President

Marsh this summer.  I wish you might see our beautiful
country at this season.  I'm working on my dissertation - and on a

book of Spanish Songs.  Sincerely yours,
Allena Luce

[*Allena Luce*]
Across the Distance

The American Grammar and High School
(AFFILIATED WITH THE COLEGIO AMERICANO WARD)
Calle JOSÉ BONIFACIO 2075
U. T. 63, VOLTA 0371
Buenos Aires

Rivadavia 6100
Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 17,1931

My dear Miss Blackwell:
I think I have had the pleasure of meeting you, although I 
doubt whether you would remember me. From 1921-8 I was a member of the 
faculty of Boston University, teaching Spanish at the College of Practical 
Arts and Letters. I was Chairman of the Department until Mr. Oñate's appointment 
to the Headship of Modern Languages.Professor Oñate was my student 
in the University of Porto Rico and I was responsible for his coming to 
Boston University, a fact of which I am proud, considereing the record he is 
making for himself there.He is a fine young man.
I am writing you, however, to congratu[al]late you on the splendid 
translation of Latin American poetry and to tell you what an impression 
it[s] is making on the Nationals here.It is a great satisfaction to me to have 
them realize that North America has scholarship to make such a work as that 
a possibility. Among the many who are teaching Spanish here the book is being 
used extensively, despite its moderately high price; and it is also doing a 
great service for the cause of better knowledge of English.The translations 
are most felicitous--indeed the book is so excellent that I do not want to 
make commonplace remarks about it. All of us who touch Latin-American life 
are grateful to you.
I did not return to Boston University after my sabbatic leave, 
for one reason because I wanted very much to come to South America. I arrived 
in June, 1930, and taught the balance of the year in El Instituto Crandon, i 
in Montevideo.This year I accepted the Principalship of the American High 
School in Buenos Aires where I am spending a most happy year.I am sorry that 
the school years do not coincide, since I want, ultimately, to return to college 
teaching in the United States.I wish that I might, some day, return to 
Boston University, but I do not know.
While I was in Uruguay, I had the pleasure of meeting Luisa Luisi
one of the very interesting poets of that country.Her sister, Dra.Luisi, was 
the first woman to receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine in Uruguay, and
is the capable head of the group now working for woman's suffrage. There is
little doubt in my mind but that Uruguay will be the first S.A.State to 
have equal suffrage. Uruguay is not pushing the matter just now, because of
Catholic activity. 
To return to Luisa Luisi, she is not only a poet and a writer on
educational and philosophical subjects but she is also high in educational
circles of Uruguay, and a thoroughly cultured and delightful lady.She was, as
you probably know, ill for many years.She herself admires Storni greatly. 
She is a personal friend Gabriela Mistral, but does not look on Gabriela 
as the first name among the women.Juana Ibarburou is married, but still 
writes. I have not met Zorilla y San Ma[t]rtín, but he is one of the most accessible 
of men. 
I came down here planning to write a dissertation connected with
Sarmiento, but, now that I am here, the music of the Argentine is fascinating me
to such an extent that I may shift to it. There has been relatively little 
written, especially concerning the Spanish element. The Indian has been dealt
with, by the French [*(D'Harcourt)*]. 
Sincerely yours, 
Allena Luce
A.B. '14
A.M. '15
Fac. 1921-8

Allena Luce

Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.