Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/502

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Women from the Time of Mary Washington 465


of the Princess Czartoryska, for the benefit of the exiled Poles, attracted American residents in the gay capital. Before the late war she gave efficient aid to the "Metropolitan Fair." During the war, in 1863, she was among the most zealous and indefatigable workers for the sanitary fair, which secured $1,400,000 for the sick and wounded soldiers. Her scientific table, with its marvels of the microscope and other philosophical instruments, always surrounded by the wit and wisdom of the day, added greatly to swell the donations. By a vote for the most popular lady at the French fair, held in New York for disabled soldiers, during the Franco-Prussian War, she was honored with the ambulance decoration of the Red Cross, set with diamonds. Successful performances of the play of "Cinderella" were planned and conducted by her, in 1876, in the New York Academy of Music, for the benefit of the "Women's Pavilion," at the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia. She secured the hearty co-operation of the parents and children of our best families. She rendered efficient aid in the performances of pantomimes on the "Mistletoe Bough" and "Sleeping Beauty," at the Academy of Music, for the Mount Vernon fund. She never allowed her charitable and patriotic work to interfere with the duties and responsibilities as a mother of eight children—seven sons and a daughter. Her nursery witnessed her greatest triumphs. She has been for many years a communicant in the South Reformed Church of New York.

MRS. J. MORGAN SMITH.

Mrs. Smith comes of illustrious Colonial and Revolutionary ancestry. She is eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution through seven different ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War. For ten years she held the state regency of Alabama, and her service, efficient, faithful and enthusiastic, has won for her a high place in the esteem and affection of her "Alabama Daughters." At the sixteenth continental congress Mrs. Smith was made vice-president-general, a distinction which she has well earned, not only by her tireless efforts in her own state, but by labors which have been far reaching and national in their extent. Mrs. Smith is also an honored member of the Pennsylvania Colonial Dames and an officer of the Alabama Colonial Dames.

MABEL GODFREY SWORMSTEDT.

Mrs. Swormstedt is a native of the "Old Bay State" and a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1890. She was a teacher in the Washington High School for three years and is the wife of Dr. Lyman Beecher Swormstedt. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter eleven years old. She has held several offices in the Columbia Chapter, culminating in the regency. She has been president of the Washington Branch of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae and corresponding secretary of the Ladies' Aid Association of the Homeopathic Hospital. Mrs. Swormstedt claims six Revolutionary ancestors.

ESTHER FROTHINGHAM NOBLE.

Mrs. Noble is the wife of the Rev. Thomas K. Noble, pastor emeritus of the First Congregational Church of Norwalk, Connecticut. She is a native of