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

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was in charge of the Service for the Blind. It was she who organized Braille Transcribing. It was she who recommended me to the Red Cross and the Library of Congress and thus gave me my big chance. here again was pioneering needed. We had to overcome the prevailing prejudice against hand-copied books, to evolve courses of study for training transcribers and proofreaders, and to meet and overcome many other new problems; and in all this Mrs. Rider was most efficient. At first I took the place of a sighted secretary and those first years were hard indeed. But Mrs. Rider had confidence in me, more than I had in myself. She expected much but was always kind and considerate never withholding criticism but generous in deserved praise. 

Most of you are familiar with the story of those years. You know how our work grew, how I passed from secretary and typist to Assistant Director, and after Mrs. Rider's resignation I became Director of Braille for the Red Cross. I began with one assistant; when I retired in 1938 there were ten. Much credit also belongs to my loyal and efficient staff. Miss Savage, my faithful secretary for so many years, and Miss Rohrback my successor, are here today to share in the pleasure of this occasion. 

In the braille work of the Red Cross I have always felt that the credit and glory belong almost entirely to that noble band of volunteer transcribers who give so many hours of unselfish labor to their work. No amount of praise and commendation is too great for them, and I am proud indeed if in any small way I have been able to help them in their wonderful service of love . In honoring all of these and all others who have helped me along the way. In this spirit I accept this beautiful medal and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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was in charge of the Service for the Blind. It was she who organized Braille Transcribing. It was she who recommended me to the Red Cross and the Library of Congress and thus gave me my big chance. here again was pioneering needed. We had to overcome the prevailing prejudice against hand-copied books, to evolve courses of study for training transcribers and proofreaders, and to meet and overcome many other new problems; and in all this Mrs. Rider was most efficient. At first I took the place of a sighted secretary and those first years were hard indeed. But Mrs. Rider had confidence in me, more than I had in myself. She expected much but was always kind and considerate never withholding criticism but generous in deserved praise. Most of you are familiar with the story of those years. You know how our work grew, how I passed from secretary and typist to Assistant Director, and after Mrs. Rider's resignation I became Director of Braille for the Red Cross. I began with one assistant; when I retired in 1938 there were ten. Much credit also belongs to my loyal and efficient staff. Miss Savage, my faithful secretary for so many years, and Miss Rohrback my successor, are here today to share in the pleasure of this occasion. In the braille work of the Red Cross I have always felt that the credit and glory belong almost entirely to that noble band of volunteer transcribers who give so many hours of unselfish labor to their work. No amount of praise and commendation is too great for them, and I am proud indeed if in any small way I have been able to help them in their wonderful service of love . In honoring all of these and all others who have helped me along the way. In this spirit I accept this beautiful medal and thank you from the bottom of my heart.