cause ::for a good
National Women’s History month presumably prompts us to consider the past and present role of females in American society. While continual advancement is likely outstanding in some aspects, there have doubtlessly been great strides in the way of achieving gender equality. Much of the progression of today is due, in large part, to the efforts of our courageous predecessors.
Succeeding an unfortunate dispute regarding the “Americanization” of the Salvation Army, the Booths, unable to return to England, opted to found their own organization combining the best of their strengths and their most pertinent passions. Several religious and political leaders showed their support for the organization, including Reverend Josiah Strong, who stated of Mr. and Mrs. Booth:
Maud Ballington Booth, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Volunteers of America, was one such indomitable pioneer who paved the way not only for women to find equal footing in charitable work, but for the human race at large to turn their eyes and hearts once and for toward touching the “untouchables.”
“I believe in the Volunteers because I believe in the man and woman around whom this movement has crystallized. I believe in the Volunteers because I believe in the principles on which the movement is based.”
A diminutive woman barely surpassing five feet in stature, Booth was a force to be reckoned with. As her vision for Volunteers of America then is explicitly recognized by the organization now, it is evident that this woman has left a remarkable legacy over 100 years post-endowment. The phrase she coined, “look up and hope,” is still synonymous with the mission and outreach of Volunteers of America locally, as well. “Besides my kids, Maud is my favorite person to talk about,” shares JoAnne Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volunteers of America of Western New York. “Truly a well-rounded woman, she exemplified ‘service above self,’ the idea of being there for your neighbor.” Ryan reiterates the wonderment of Booth’s qualifications as a public servant. According to sources, Booth was born Maud Elizabeth Charlesworth in Surrey, England on September 15, 1865 into a world of opulence. Her father, a well-respected lawyer, turned his attention to social welfare and consequently, became an Anglican priest. Veronica Constantine, in her graduate informational paper for Grand Valley State University, asserted that “her parent’s work with social issues led to Maud’s great interest and concern for social welfare and social service.” By 1882, Booth would join Catherine Booth for the Salvation Army, commissioned to organize efforts in other parts of Europe. After her outreach in France and Switzerland, Booth returned to London to minister to the destitute. In 1886, she married Ballington Booth, son of Salvation Army founder, William Booth. According to Constantine, Maud became enamored with Booth after attending a speech he delivered at a Salvation Army Holiness Meeting. Constantine stated: “Captivated by his speech, Maud felt a calling in life to serve the homeless, mentally ill, children and others in need. Ballington’s passionate speech about serving and saving the impoverished profoundly moved the idealistic young Maud.” Ryan brought to mind the sentiment that Maud took her husband’s first name as her own, too. This reflects the couple’s devotion to one another, and to the mission, signifying that both husband and wife would have an equal hand in their work. “She was very much a co-founder,” adds Ryan. After the couple wed, the Booths landed in New York and re-structured several components of the Salvation Army in the United States. As Constantine shared, “Their efforts made the American Unit of the Salvation Army one of the most organized and fiscally sound units within the organization. They used exceptional coordination skills with the volunteers and the donors by persuading influential people to get involved. The Booths were able to greatly improve the American Unit making it one of the best branches of the Salvation Army.” 18
march 2014 :: rochesterWomanMag.com
The vision of the Volunteers of America (originally called, “God’s American Volunteers”) was to “go wherever it was needed and to do whatever work came to hand” (VOA). The organization, which reached 650 volunteers and 140 posts within its first six months of existence, reshaped the public’s view of the poor and hungry, of illiterate, of the mentally ill, of the orphaned and abandoned, of prisoners, of the jobless and more. In whatever social areas that expressed a need, the Volunteers of America were there to serve. Maud Ballington Booth sought to be a beacon of light in the darkest places. She was instrumental in the parole reformation. It was through her efforts that the first services were provided to ex-convicts who were unable to ease back into society. Until the Booths’ intervention, former prisoners were secluded and forced to live out their days laboring in factories. Booth was affectionately deemed “The Little Mother” among the inmates. Equipped with a compassion that stretched beyond what many of the time were capable of, Booth spent much time in the prison walls ministering to the needs of the occupants, fighting to improve the conditions, and raise public awareness. “Maud was very much about redemption, about granting others a second chance,” said Ryan. Mrs. Booth toured the Chautaqua Circuit sharing of her experiences with the prisoners. In 1896, Booth delivered a speech at Sing Sing that has left its mark on history. According to Constantine, the speech “led to the development of the Volunteer Prison League, a group that focused on turning the lives of prisoners around during their period of imprisonment. The group worked to train prisoners and to prepare them for life in the free world.” Before Booth’s influence, there was virtually no concept of a “halfway house.” JoAnne Ryan, a true admirer of Maud Ballington Booth says that the courageous co-founder’s influence has had a tremendous impact on the way she leads the organization today. She is consistently motivated by Booth’s “tireless, humble work” for the betterment of all peoples. Because of Booth, Ryan admits, “I grow every day.” To celebrate the legacy of Booth just in time for annual “Founder’s Week,” the VOA has partnered with local designer, Dr. Abigail Riggs, creator of the “Purse with a Purpose” series to commemorate the pioneers that came before us. Riggs has a designed a “Mrs. Ballington Booth” bag with proceeds from its sale going to aid the Volunteers of America in meeting the needs of the community and therefore, keeping Booth’s spirit alive. The VOA “Purse with a Purpose” is truly a treasure to behold and features the seemingly fragile, yet remarkably strong “water lily” that Booth alluded to in so many of her famous nature analogies. It will premiere this March and is one that you can’t help but add to