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FAQ ALASKA - Frequently Asked
Questions About Alaska
Marie Drake
Marie Drake, author of the words to Alaska's Flag, the state song, was
born Feburary 11, 1888. In 1907 she married James Drake in Van Wert, Ohio,
where she was engaged in social work with the Y.W.C.A. and the Red Cross.
They came to Alaska when her husband was assigned to work with the Bureau
of Public Roads. In 1917, Lester Henderson was appointed first commissioner
of education, and he hired Marie Drake as his secretary. She remained
with the Department for 28 years, retiring July 1, 1945.
Marie Drake assumed the post of assistant commissioner of education in
1934. She edited and wrote most of the material for the department's School
Bulletin, that was circulated throughout the territorial school system.
The poem that later provided the words for the official state song first
appeared on the cover of the October 1935 School Bulletin. In recognition
of her devotion to the young people of Alaska, Marie Drake received an
honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Alaska in 1958.
She died March 5, 1963.
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Source : Alaska Blue Book 1993-94, 11th ed., Juneau, Department
of Education, Division of State Libraries, Archives & Museums.
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Last Modified: 27 September 2001
For further information about Alaska, contact your nearest library. For
comments or corrections about this site, contact:
Alaska State Library: e-mail - asl@eed.state.ak.us
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