DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs

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Page 103

UNFOLDING YEARS 103

My work has been largely that of a pioneer. Back in Iowa even before I left school I became interested in work for the blind. There was plenty of room in those days for pioneer effort. I helped to organise the Iowa State Association and the Des Moines Association for the Blind, and to found the Iowa Home for Sightless Women. All of these are now functioning successfully. When I came to Washington D.C. I joined forces with out people there. When later there was need of Braille Transcribing for the War-Blind. I volunteered my help and soon became a paid worker. I count it a privilege to have had a part in developing that great service among the volunteers of the Red Cross. 

I should like here and now to pay tribute to some of those who have helped me all along the way. First to the Iowa School for the Blind where i received my elementary education. I still feel that it was one of the best schools of its kind at that time. It may have lacked the equipment found in some of our eastern schools, but we were fortunate in having as superintendent a scholarly man. A college man himself, he gave to our school the atmosphere of a college and inspired in his students the desire for higher education. 

I feel that I owe much to my family. They were plain people, but great readers and placed a high value on education. Yet with all, they were very practical. I was never allowed to think that society owed me anything because of my handicap, but I was taught that I must give for value received. I was blessed with the help of a devoted sister who has always been my companion. adviser, my severest critic and best friend. She has been eyes for me all along the way. 

When I entered the Library of Congress, Mrs. Gertrude T. Rider, now Mrs. Fred Harpham,

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UNFOLDING YEARS 103 My work has been largely that of a pioneer. Back in Iowa even before I left school I became interested in work for the blind. There was plenty of room in those days for pioneer effort. I helped to organise the Iowa State Association and the Des Moines Association for the Blind, and to found the Iowa Home for Sightless Women. All of these are now functioning successfully. When I came to Washington D.C. I joined forces with out people there. When later there was need of Braille Transcribing for the War-Blind. I volunteered my help and soon became a paid worker. I count it a privilege to have had a part in developing that great service among the volunteers of the Red Cross. I should like here and now to pay tribute to some of those who have helped me all along the way. First to the Iowa School for the Blind where i received my elementary education. I still feel that it was one of the best schools of its kind at that time. It may have lacked the equipment found in some of our eastern schools, but we were fortunate in having as superintendent a scholarly man. A college man himself, he gave to our school the atmosphere of a college and inspired in his students the desire for higher education. I feel that I owe much to my family. They were plain people, but great readers and placed a high value on education. Yet with all, they were very practical. I was never allowed to think that society owed me anything because of my handicap, but I was taught that I must give for value received. I was blessed with the help of a devoted sister who has always been my companion. adviser, my severest critic and best friend. She has been eyes for me all along the way. When I entered the Library of Congress, Mrs. Gertrude T. Rider, now Mrs. Fred Harpham,