Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity facts for kids
The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity was a special group started in 1874 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was founded by five amazing women: Celeste Allen, Eliza Goff, Ada Goins, Beulah Wright Porter, and Hulda Bates Webb. They created this group because many African Americans were moving to Indiana from the South after the American Civil War and needed help.
From the very start, the main goal of the Sisters of Charity was to help people who were in need. This kind and helpful organization worked to provide healthcare and support to the new residents of Indiana.
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Helping the Community
The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity helped people in many important ways. They offered nursing care right in people's homes. They also raised money to pay for medical treatments for those who couldn't afford it. On top of that, they gave out clothes and food to families who needed them.
A Hospital for the Community
In the early 1910s, the women worked hard to raise money for a small hospital. This hospital had fourteen beds and was specifically for African Americans. It was a big step in providing medical care. However, after about ten years, the hospital had to close because of money problems.
Inspiring Other Groups
The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity also played a big part in encouraging other African American women to start their own clubs in Indianapolis. Groups like the Alpha Home Association and the Women's Improvement Club followed their lead, working to make their community better.
How They Were Funded
After 1900, the Sisters of Charity got money for their projects by setting up smaller groups called "lodges" around the state. These lodges helped raise funds for their good work. However, the number of these lodges started to go down in the 1920s and even more during the Great Depression, which was a time when many people struggled financially.
The End of the Organization
The Grand Body of the Sisters of Charity eventually stopped operating around 1980. In an interview in 1989, the President, Rubie Potter, explained that the organization combined into just one lodge (Lodge No. 15) in 1980. This happened after members had disagreements about selling their main building and stopping their work. That building, which was their state headquarters, can still be seen today at 1034-1036 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Indianapolis, Indiana.
