|
Part of the American
History & Genealogy Project |
Rose Sommerfield
Rose Sommerfield taught in the public
schools of Baltimore from 1889 to 1899. Actively interested in
the First Grade Teachers' Association, helping to shape its
policy. Inaugurated the first Mothers' Meetings held in public
school of Baltimore. Interested in Jewish and non-Jewish
philanthropic and educational institutions as a volunteer
worker. Helped to organize the Daughters of Israel and the
Baltimore Section of the Council of Jewish Women, being the
first secretary of both organizations. Also a Day Nursery, First
Jewish Working Girls Club and the Maccabeans, an association of
men who interested themselves in work among Jewish boys.
Organized a free Sabbath school for Jewish children. Principal
of the elementary school of the Kitchen Garden Association, also
of the evening school for adult immigrants. A director and
assisted in organizing the Young Men's Hebrew Association of
Baltimore. Taught Jewish Sabbath school. Helped to organize
first home for Jewish working girls in the United States. Gave
model lessons in Hebrew at the Summer Assembly Jewish Chautauqut.
Also appointed critic of lessons given at first Summer Assembly.
Wrote articles on "Truancy in Public
Schools" for Maryland State Conference of Charities, "Charity
Organization" for first Triennial of Council of Jewish
Women, in which Federation of Charities was urged and a school
of philanthropy advocated, "Homes for Working Girls"
for National Conference of Jewish Charities meeting in
Philadelphia and many articles on educational and philanthropic
subjects.
In 1899 went to New York and organized
the Clara de Hirsch Home for Working Girls and its Trade
Classes, also organized the Clara de Hirsch Home for Immigrant
Girls, the Welcome House Settlement, the Model Employment
Bureau, and helped to reorganize the Hebrew Sheltering and
Immigrant Aid Society and the Virginia, a non-sectarian Working
Girls Hotel. Was on the first committee of the Lakeview Home for
Girls, chairman of the committee on philanthropy of the National
Council of Jewish Women, secretary of the Monday Club of New
York, vice-president of the Jewish Social Workers of New York,
and secretary of the Jewish Social Workers, Section of the
National Jewish Conference of Charities. Assisted' in organizing
the Wage Earner's Theatre League, and a member of its executive
committee.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
|