Ella Flagg Young's contributions as an administrator in the Chicago public schools from 1909-15 are assessed. Intended as a profile of an administrator whose personal accomplishments broadened American education, the study is also a history of progressive and vocational education in Chicago during the early 20th century. Characterized as a woman who worked against factionalism and divisiveness, Ella Young was described by Jane Addams as possessing superior intelligence and character. The account of her life and career is based on newspaper sources, published and unpublished archival material, and manuscript collections. The study is presented in six sections. Section I describes her early background as the youngest child of hardworking parents of Scottish descent and her training as a teacher. Section II discusses her association with John Dewey at the University of Chicago Lab School from 1899-1904. In section III, the stage is set for her 1909 appointment to the superintendency of the Chicago City School System. Sections IV and V, which contain the bulk of the paper, explore the role she played during her years as head administrator of the second largest school system in the country and discuss her attempts to expand the manual arts curriculum, upgrade teacher's salaries, and provide educational opportunity for all interested students. Section VI describes her retirement years. References are included. (Author/DB)