Ethel D. Allen

Ethel D. Allen (May 8, 1929 – December 16, 1981) was an African-American politician and physician from the Republican Party, who served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under governor Dick Thornburgh for 10 months, between January and October 1979. Prior to serving in the state cabinet, Allen was a member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1972 until 1979, representing both the 5th and At-Large Districts.

Quotes

• I had been exposed only to my relatives and white schoolmates. I spent all my spare time—virtually every day—at the Free Library… There weren’t that many children in my neighborhood, and I very seldom ventured off our block
  • [1]
• I was always interested in science from age five up. I had an uncle who was a dentist. He motivated me tremendously toward the scientific field. He used to take me to his office, and even though I was never keen on pulling teeth, I was interested in his patient’s reactions and fascinated by the camaraderie between him and his patients.
  • [2]
• Like most people thought about movie stars, I thought about politicians.
  • [3]
• Franklin Roosevelt was the man, and to see him first-hand, close-up, was just… well, he was my number one man. And Mrs. Roosevelt was my number two gal.
  • [4]
• And although the discipline of Catholic schools does not permit open manifestations of racism, there were times when it was made very clear you were not expected to have intellectual achievement because black people were supposed to have smaller brains and all of that.
  • [5]
• I got promoted from the mail department to scheduling and appointments for the Philadelphia area
  • Combined Medical Career with Politics
• I was turned down many times with the usual response that they had no facilities for women physicians
  • [6]
• let me just say that I am a candidate. Whatever my opponent hasn’t done, I will do. Whatever he has done, I will do better
  • [7]
• I do take a relatively scientific approach to politics
  • [8]
• As a physician, Mr. President, I’d say your gut was anesthetized
  • [9]
• everything I can get my hands on about Richard Nixon, before and after Watergate
• If you push me, I may have to run against you, Mr. Mayor. And when I run, I win.
  • [10]