Soon after she retired in 1964, Edna Jacobs was asked by Superintendent Myron Ashmore to organize a group of retired educators for Broward County. On October 26, 1964, a meeting was held to consider the matter. On November 4, 1964 a constitution was drawn up and by-laws were formed. On February 10, 1965 the first official meeting of BCREA was held. Edna Jacobs was elected president.

Born in Milo, Maine, Edna Kittredge came to Ft. Lauderdale to teach in 1925. She lived with her uncle C. D. Kittredge who was mayor of Ft. Lauderdale at that time and had just built a fine new house. Edna was married to Wallace Jacobs in that house on May 7, 1927. The house later served as Red Cross Headquarters for the county and is now the French Quarter Restaurant.

Edna's first teaching job was at the South side School. After 6 years at South side, she went to West side Elementary as principal and 6th grade teacher. In 1954 she became principal of the new Lauderdale Manors Elementary and continued there until her retirement in 1964. In the meantime, she served as chairman of the Broward County Elementary Principals Association and was on the State Board of Elementary Principals where she served as vice-chairman. While on the State Textbook Committee she was instrumental in the promotion of legislation to advance elementary school libraries statewide.

In 1979 the Broward County Historical Commission named Edna a Pioneer. She was also active in the First Methodist church where she taught Sunday School, played piano and sang in the choir. She also found time to serve as president of her Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Edna served as District 10 Director for FREA for 4 years; but BCREA was her pet organization. She loved all its people and always worked in their interests until her late 90's. She died May 17, 2003.

Lillian Lampkins, who served as president from 1986 - 1988 was the first African-American to hold the position.

Past Presidents

Name	Dates of Service
Edna Jacobs	1965 - 1968
Kenneth Haun	1968 - 1971
Clara Louise Smith	1971 - 1973
Eleanor Van Duren	1973 - 1975
Irene Guellette	1975 - 1977
Hise Tudor	1977 - 1978
Edna Jacobs	1978 - 1979
Wilbur Marshall	1979 - 1981
Lester Trussler	1981 - 1983
Elizabeth Geldbaugh	1983 - 1985
Lailah Waite	1985 - 1986
Lillian Lampkins	1986 - 1988
Kenneth Hendricks	1988 - 1990
Helen Overmyer	1990 - 1992
Kenneth Hendricks	1992 - 1993
Thelma Hendricks	1993 - 1995
Kathlyn Barno	1995 - 1997
Doris Emmett	1997 - 1999
Darcia Drago	1999 - 2001
Frances Smoot	2001 - 2004
Madeline Martin	2004 - 2006
Tom Drilling	2006 - 2008
Linda Horton	2008 - 2010
Margarite Falconer	2010 - 2013
Diane Texter	2013 - 2015
Echo Heyer	2015 - 2017
Carol Roland	2017 - 2019
Lillian Small	2019 - 2021
Sue Colton	2021 - Present