Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-05-17
FOR TIE Dr IND
One ST Most Unique Clubs in world
Is In New York

of the most unique clubs in the work.
is that of the fifty elderly blind wo
men, who meet every two weeks al
the Lighthouse Of the New York AS.
ISOLATION for the Blind, at Ill East
F'ifty-ninth street. 1t has been In
existence for fifteen years, and nc
one of its members. though many
are frail, stopped grahdh,othcrs, is
willing to miss a fortnightly meeting
Each comes on the arm of a "see-
ing guide" Often the women ar
rive, in twos or threos, with a guide
in the lead. Some of them have been
blind only few years, due to illness
or cataract and they are not accus-
toned to moving: about in darkness.
They can never venture out in the
streets alone, ard, for many of them,
the social hour and musical program
at the Lighthouse is their only diver
sion.
Take Miss Mary Mari, for instance
Bent and fragile, with silvery white
hair, her work roughered hands tes
tify to an active, energetic life
About twenty years ago her sight
began to fai! and she learned that
she must eventually become Totally
blind. With splendid courage, she
set about teaching herself how to De
blind. Tying a handkerchief about
her eyes, she would tumble about in
darkness with her ironing or her
other. household tasks. Today. al
though she cannot see the slightest
glimmer of light. Miss Mari doS all
her on work in her little apartment,
has one boarder and is known as a
model housekeeper.
Miss Jupana Hagedorn. another
club member, has very little sight.
just about enough to distinguish
daylight from darkness. Since young
omanhood she has ben teacher of
the deaf and dumb. Miss Rose Trim
galea as for years a piano teacher
until her hands became stiff from
rheumatism.
Miss Margaret Hemming, although
we'll past the age when most women
feel that they must be breadwinners,
earns enough money by the sewing
furnished her by the lighthouse to
pay her daughter with whom shc
lives. share of the rent and food.
She hens towels, and makes aprons,
and is becoming quite adept at max
ing rag rugs. She also makes most
Of the clothes for her daughters
baby and more than Ellis the place
of grandmother in the household.
Mr.. Hcmming has had ten. children ,
and is blind as the result Of an at
tack Of typhoid fever.
These women are II enrolled on
the visiting list of The Lighthouse |
and are known as ''homc workers"
That is, they can not become regu-
lar workers in the weaving and sew
ing rooms for the blind at he Light
house, but thew arc able to earn a
little each week by making the arti-
cles sold through the Lighthouse.
At the Club meetings, music is the
form of entertainment most enjoyed
and the program at the last meetiE-
included vocal selections and violin
and piano numbers by blind music
ianss. Not face failed to light up
at the straips'of "Old Black joe or
MY Old Kentucky Home" The "Blue
Danube Waltz" set toes tapping to
the quick rhythm. and the Lohengrin
wedding March" caused their face:
ts:gfow with fond memories, as they
beat time, with their iccc ream
spoons. TO the familiar stirring
strain. Z
To provide better education for
blind children. broader and more
.irenuncrativc occupations for blind
adults, and more companionship and
cher for the aged blind are the ob.
iects Of the Ccmmitte for Lighthouses
for the Blind, in its 100000 cam
paign. The headquarters of til,
committee is at the Lighthouse Ct the
New York Association, II East 5cth
! Street, hich Miss Winifrcd Holt "Tha
Lady Of the Lighthus"," fonnded IS
years ago. President Harding, we
he received Miss Holt and nc cvG
blind girls at the White House, 8:
ceptea the. Honorary Craftsmanship
of this Committee. Aa,my w Mel
lon, Secretary Of the Treasury is
Honorary Treasurer: Erlnk,ir ..
Roosevelt, former Assistant Sccre-
tary CT the Navy, is CT ,irman; Lrwis
l.. Clarke. President Of The -Ameri-
can Exchange National Bank. is
Treasurer. Contributions ma, he