Evening star., 1923-12-07
|''Lady Of Lighthouse" to Tell
Wasltingtonians of Work
Center for Blind
Has Been Aid
to Thousands.
Soldiers Are GiUer,
Instruction in
Useful Trades.

Mrs. winIfred Holt Mather. who has
organized lighthouses for the blind In
America, France. Italy and Poland. will
speak at at gathering which Will take
place at the residence OF William P.
Emo on Monday at 9 pm, and urge
the furtherance Of that work.
In Europe and America there are
thousands who know Of the work
of the Lady Of the Lighthouse" as
Mrs Mather, formerly Miss Winifred
Holt, Is called.
About twenty years ago Mrs. Ma
ther, while attending concert in
Italy, noticed the pleasure that came
to the blind as they listened to the
music. From that impression came
her lifelong effort to give to these
people an opportunity to participate
in the life of the world from which
the sightless felt they were forever
shut out.
Five Lighthouse. Open.
There are now Ave lighthouses"
One in New York city. one in Buffalo.
one in Italy, one In Paris and one
In Poland. Mrs. Mather found the
first blind American soldier at Sois-
sons while the bombardment was 60
ing on.
These lighthouses" seek to give
the blind independence and chance
in life by teaching them various vo-
done by these people are purchased
by the big stores of 5th avenue.
Five Presidents, Cleveland. who
was once an instructor Of the blind;
Roosevelt, Taft. Wilson and Harding,
have expressed their approval OF the
work. President Coolidge Is to be
honorary president Of the National
American Committee, which is soon 10
be formed. In letter President Cool
idge praises the work and gave those In
charge his good wishes. Upon another
occasion he declared his intention Of
visiting the lighthouse" in New York
city. which was visited by President
Harding and the cornerstone Of which
was laid by Chief Justice Taft q num-
Der OF years ago.
DIR. Eliot Explains Work.
Just what work has been ana Is
to be done Is explained by DR.. Charles
E. Eliot. president emeritus of Har-
chairman of the New England COM
mittee Of the national committee. DR..
Eliot says:
Before the world war Miss wini-
fred Holt had founded In New York
and Buffalo lighthouses in which
the blind were given OCCUPATIONS and
taught trades through which they
were restored to happiness and were
enabled to earn a living and keep a
home. She proved very effective in
raising money to build and support
these lighthouses but in this func-
tion she exerted influence over peo-
Pile who could see her as well as hear
her. When, later, in the lighthouses
she had created she came in contact
with the blind therein. 1t turned out
that she could exercise a blessed In
fivence over persons who could not
see her, but only hear her.
when the desperate fighting in
France had begun to produce thou
sands OF wounded men, among whom
were many blinded. Miss Holt decided
that she would put her gifts and her
experience at the service OF soldiers
blinded in battle. To further this end
Mrs. Hewitt and other friends formed
the committee for men blinded in
battle under the presidency Of the
late Jospeh H. Choate.
Aided by Americans.
with money which was chiefly
given by American friends and sup
porters, but with much sympathy and
furtherance from the French govern
ment and French patriots, the COM
mittee established in Paris lie Phare
de France which has now for over
eight years been doing it's very benef-
icient work, regardless of race or
creed. 1t is center OF physical re-
habilitatton as well as re-educatfon,
equipment and information for the
blind and q veritabie social settle
ment house for them. From there the