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Madame Lillian Evanti (daughter of Wilson Bruce Evans), football hall of fame Len Ford and other luminaries walked Armstrong's halls.19 Located at First and P Streets, N.W., the curriculum included math, science, mechanical drawing, art instruction, architectural drawing, and classical courses, as well as sewing, millinery, and domestic science. "When I entered the art room, it was like entering heaven," recalled Thomas. "A beautiful place, just where I belonged. Armstrong laid the foundation for my life."20 Thomas excelled in mathematics, trigonometry and architectural drawing (the only girl in the classes). She also studied German, biology, home economics, fashion design, and domestic science - a subject which held very little of her interest. Millinery, however, produced several tams, and hats for herself and her sisters.21 After graduating in 1911, Thomas continued her studies at Miner Normal School (later Miner Teachers College and currently The University of the District of Columbia) with a focus in Kindergarten education; she received a certificate to teach in 1913.

As a confident young adult prepared for the work force, Alma Thomas, in 1914 taught, for four months, in the schools of Princess Ann County, Maryland. The following year, she accepted a position at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware. Institutions such as Garrett were seeking to develop harmonious relationships among community groups of different cultural, economic, religious and social characteristics, and to help people act together to improve their living conditions and environment. They were founded as

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