Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
tribute RENDERED
MISS MARY GWYNN
Plaque in Memory of Pioneer
Child Welfare Worker
Unveiled at Center.

: With simple and impressive cere-
n1ony, a marble plaque mounted in
bronze was unveiled yesterday at the
Mary Gwynn Center Of the Child VEL
fare Society at Childrens Hospital. In
memory of Miss Mary Gwynn, founder
of child welfare work in the National
Capital. The ceremony celebrated COM
pletion of a foundation of 500, 900,
raised by the society for support OF
the center.
Mrs. Frank B. Noyes. honorary presi-
dent of the society. unveiled the tablet
and paid tribute to Miss Gwynn, the
workers who had helped to raise the
funds and to the generous cooperation
of the Childrens Hospital
The plaque was accepted on behalf
OF the hospital by Cuno H. Rudolph
president of the hospital board of di-
rectors. Tribute was paid Miss Gwyn
by Mrs. Frederick H. Brooke, president
of the board of lady visitors of the
hospital and a member of the Child
Welfare Society board. Scripture
reading and prayers were offered by
Rev. DR.. Edward Slater Dunlop, canon
of the National Cathedral.
Reviews Growth Of Movement.
Mrs. Noyes in her address said:
friends. who believe that our slogan,
keep the well child WELL is the foun-
dalton for health in the coming gen.
Grafton, it is possible to unveil today
this memorial to one who had the vision
to establish the first Child Welfare Gen.
ter in the Nations Capital Little by
little the importance of the work was
impressed upon the public and upon
Congress and small appropriations were
Akav-S
scriptions. inspired by the zeal and I'M
firing devotion of the leader and a board
Of able women, the work grew.
Following her death. after serious
deliberation and consultation with a
director Of the Russell Sage Founda-
ton, 1t was determined to sever the
Federal appropriations and establish
with 1t various centers throughout the
city under the District Health Once
and with our private funds to develop
an ideal center with a foundation to
carry on the work
Through the generous cooperation
OF the Children's Hospital. this has
been at least partly accomplished. To-
day We have over IL 900 children reg
astered in this one center.
Through careful examination and
advice, health is often restored without
medicine or surgery. In case Of phys
zeal defects requiring such aid. we are
ideally situated to discover and turn
them over to the proper medical care.
thus preventing in every possible way
the tiny stream of disease becoming a
turgid river of i'll health. I believe this
hospital for children can and should be
the finest IN America and the people,
not only of Washington but throughout
the country, should look to it as an
Ideal In spite of our ever-increaSing
expense we have carried on our special
branch of service without aid from the
hospital funds-so greatly needed else
where. I believe they are proud of us
as allies and We know how much we
owe to them.
This foundation Of 100000 gener-
ously given during the past years is
now completed and as we draw the
ven from the tablet hope the eyes of
thousands of little children may look
upon 1t with love and gratitude and
that somehow Mary Gwynn knows and
understands" Mrs. Noyes' address was
read for her by Mrs. .Anson, Phelps
Stokes.
Rudolph Accepts Plaque as Tribute. :
Mr.. Rudolph accepted the plaque on
behalf Of the board of directors. declar-
ing 1t was fitting tribute to the won
yderful work done by this wonderful
woman" He praised officials of the
hospital and child welfare center as he
introduced them to the gathering:
Miss Matte M. Gibson. superintendent
OF the hospital; DR.: z. B: Brooks, d.
rector OF the center: Miss Caroline
Sweeney. supervisor Of the center: DR.,
Robert Bier, visiting physician to the
center; DR.. P. A. McClendon. director
OF outpatient activities, who could not
be present.
Paying personal tribute to Miss
Gwynn, Mrs. Brooke said: las a long
time member of Miss Gwynn'S commit
tee, l nave been accorded the privilege
OF remlniscing for q moment about the
days when her wonderful work was In
the making. and when the round table
discussions which took place every fort
night In her home were the beginning
on the WORK for children which has now
grown into such an important District
program.
From the moment one was vel
coined at her door by her kindly maid
one senSed the unselflsh thought and
devotion being given by her to the child
welfare work, and as new idea after
new idea was developed, I often had the
feeling that these plans and projects OF
her heart and brain were .as alive as
u they had taken the form Of dedicated
human lives.
Remember that all this work was
accomplished in the dear old-fashioned
way, when no one was chosen for EN-
cheney and when the board meetings
were gatherings OF friends. and yet a.
q result Of this planning, there are to-
Gay 10 health centerS in the District
OF Columbia and over 900 babies nass
through this welfare station in q month
Remembers Miss Gwynn as Saint.
Does this not prove to us that II we
Loyalty hope and plan for q good pur-
pose miracles can still happen, and that
uncroWned saints can still exiStp For
in our loving memories. I think we have
the right to remember Miss Mary
GWynn as the children's saint OF
Washington"
The plaque itself Is the memorial
nrsI set up at the Mary Gwynn Center
which originated at Twentieth and q
streets. 1t was replaced with appro-
pirate ceremonies on the south wall OF
tne Chlio welfare Center yesterday at
noon. An inscription on the stone. and
lined with colors of gold. reads: This
memorial Is given to perpetuate the life
work and undying influence of MARY
GWynn, the founder of child welfare
in Washington"
Following the formal occasion. Mrs
Moves, as a member of the board of d.
fectors OF the hospital, stated she felt
tnat the time would come eventually
Wnen all INDECENT cases should be cared
lor at Gallinger Hospital, which Is no,
YET adequately equipped to care fol
them: and that Children'S Hospital Their
would have an increase in both fuI]
pay ana part pay patients to help sup.
port 1t. The budget allowance for care
OF indigents at Childrens HospitaI
fne explained, is never suficient to care