Page:Representative Women of New England.djvu/158

 REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGL,AND 119 years she was a member of the Council of men and philanthropic and generous women the National Unitarian Conference. She is of Boston. The reputation of this work and a life member of the American Unitarian Asso-the interest in it are world-wide. ciation In 1887, through the eloquent appeals, and later the personal friendship, of Pundita Ra mabai Mrs. Andrews became deeply interested in the condition of the high-caste child widows of India. In 1888 she was largely instrumental n the formation of the Ramabai Association, |mistress of speech she has talked with decision pledged for ten years to support Ramabai inand originality, nei her work for the redemption of her sisters and upon the opinions of others. She has framed the uplifting of her people. To the Executive thought and utterance for herself with ex- Committee, of which Mrs. Andrews was made traordinary spirit and vigor. chairman, was entrusted the official corre-Miss Thomas's mother was a woman pos spondence concerning the management of the sessing much force of character and a disposi- Shâradâ Sadan (Home of Wisdom) at Poona, tion of great sweetness. She impressed upon also the settlement of many delicate questions her children's minds, while they were very arising from a work so opposed to the customs young, that this "earth's unfortunates had a of India. In 1894, as an officer of the asso- human claim upon them." She was connected ciation, Mrs. Andrews visited India, and passed with "the underground railway of the old nearly eight months at the Shâradá Sadan, inslavery days," and many a fugitive from the daily intercourse with Ramabai and her pupils, South has had reason to bless her name. The becoming acquainted with the details of the daughter early became her mother's assistant home and school, learning the sad histories of and confidante, and all her life has aided the the child widows, and studying their charac- sick and suffering, the ambitious and the poor teristics and capabilities. She visited some of Though her name has been associated with the most important cities of India with Ra-various organizations, the greater amount of mabai as "guide, philosopher, and friend," thus her charitable work has been individual and gaining an insight into the social customs and unmentioned. The home of Miss Thomas is evils of the country such as she could havea noted one in Portland. "The Social Corner," obtained in no other way. All of this experi-as one of the family friends named it with so ence enabled her to return to America with ac- much truth, has become a familiar word, and curate knowledge and increased power to pleadstands for hospitality, music, originality, and Ramabai's cause and to emphasize the purpose, good cheer. Guests of all classes are made HARLOTTE J. THOMAS may here be introduced as one who showed at an early age that she dared stand alone. From the time she became quoting no eanın and the wonderful success hewelcome in this home with the fine courtesv Entertainment is never offered in stereotyped form, but free- om of speech, quaint stories, and suddenly work. In 1898 the term of the original Ra- which brings instant comfo mabai Association expired; and the Amer Ramabai Association was then formed, to con tinue the work on nearly the same lines, which suggested plans give all the happy hours a tinge lines were strictly undenominational. At this of surprise and novelty. It has been said of organization Ramabai was present. Mrs. An-the historic Thomas mansion: "Notable people irman of the Execu- go there, but many others are invited. Not rank, but true manhood, true womanhood, the trying to do good in the spirit of brotherhood, tive Committee, and During the fifteen Ramabai Association it has had but three presi- is the passport to that house." In Old Home dents, the Rev. Dr. Edward E. Hale, the Rev. [ Week during the summer of 1900 Miss Thomas Dr. Lyman Abbott, the Rev. Dr. . Winches Donald. Among its officers have been some ures, and inscribed with the word of the most prominent professional and business | and the year in which it was built, 1800. Late lo position years' existence of the had her house decorated with flags and pic ome