Dr. Anne O. Emery was born on May 15, 1927, in Thomasville, Alabama. Along with her husband, Mr. Vallen Emery, she was the parent to three sons: Vallen Jr., Gregory ’68, and Travis ’74. The Emerys both graduated from Tuskegee University, and they settled in Birmingham, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana prior to moving to Baltimore in the early 1960s. Dr. Emery served as an educator in both the New Orleans and Baltimore City School systems. She rose through the BCPS ranks, ultimately serving as principal of William H. Lemmel Junior High School and Walbrook Senior High School. Dr. Emery also became an area school superintendent. 

"Dr. Anne O. Emery was a leader of extraordinary force. She loved to see young persons succeed and was a vocal supporter of her son, Greg, Willard, Dave, and me while we were at Gilman. When my family and I moved to the Ashburton neighborhood of Baltimore, she “commandeered” me in her loving manner to become an officer of the neighborhood association, a supporter of Ashburton Middle School, Walbrook High School, Tuskegee University and other civic projects while I was trying to forge a career in politics. She never stood still and our community is the better for it. " - Stuart Simms '68.

In 1963, the Emerys supported the enrollment of their son Greg at Gilman School. As one of the first Black students in the school, and the only Black student in his class the first year, this was a challenging time. As active parents, the Emerys provided candid guidance and advice to the Gilman administration and served as informal advisors to Gilman Headmasters Ludlow Baldwin and Redmond Finney. After Greg graduated in 1968, the Emerys went on to enroll their youngest son, Travis, at Gilman. 

“One of the greatest compliments to Dr. Emery was receiving a call occasionally from Gilman Headmaster Reddy Finney asking for advice on how to handle a difficult Gilman School issue, these calls while Dr. Emery was the Principal at Walbrook High School. Dr. Emery, an always passionate and effective City of Baltimore educational leader, was full of purpose, sharp, fair, honest, driven, engaged, peppy and fun too, she was high talent, high impact, and a cool lady. I adored her!” - A. C. George '74 P‘05 P’08

The Emerys served in many civil, professional, and social organizations in the Baltimore City community. Most notably, the Emerys helped found the Heritage United Church of Christ, and Dr. Emery organized and served as the first president of the Baltimore chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Dr. Emery also founded and led a Baltimore City Charter School— the Bluford Drew Jemison Academy—an elementary school in both East and West Baltimore (two locations) focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programming. The Emerys were married for 56 years. Mr. Emery passed away in 2004. Sons Greg and Travis Emery passed away in 2000 and 2016, respectively.