Giving - Recognition Societies
Alvina
Hammer
Miss Hammer believed that individuals
with mental retardation had the right to lead full lives
in a loving atmosphere where they would feel secure and
develop self-confidence. This belief led to the founding
of the Hammer-Robinson School in 1923. According to Evelyn
Carlson, "It took a great deal of vision and foresight
in those days to go about founding and organizing a school.
Alvina Hammer had such a vision."
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Evelyn
Carlson
In 1932, Evelyn Carlson joined Hammer
and was the Administrator from 1947 until 1974. She was
co-founder of what is now known as Arc Hennepin-Carver,
and the Association of Residential Resources of Minnesota
(ARRM). Her philosophy lives on at Hammer today: "We
operate on the theory that everyone can do everything
until proven otherwise."
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Reuben
Lindh
In the 1930s, Reuben Lindh searched
for a school that would accept his brother-in-law, Ralph
Rosenvold. Mr. Lindh's belief that people with disabilities
should be treated with dignity, respect, and understanding
was mirrored at Hammer, and a lifelong association began.
He and his wife, Judy, co-founded Arc Hennepin-Carver
along with Evelyn Carlson. In his words, "In this
great country, every child, regardless of color or creed
or status in life, should be given the opportunity to
learn to the full extent of his or her ability."
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Ralph
Rosenvold
Ralph Rosenvold was one of the first
children to live at Hammer and he remained in residence
for 65 years until his death in 1995. His long tenure
and exuberant personality made Ralph a Hammer legend.
He raised the flag each morning, mowed the lawn, and washed
dishes every day. He took great pleasure in growing plants
and vegetables, and he loved old radio shows, westerns,
musicals and comedies.
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Bill
McGlinch
Bill McGlinch came to Hammer in 1928
when he was only eight years old and stayed until his
death in 1978. A quiet young man with natural talent,
Bill loved to express himself through his Picasso-like
drawings and weaving items like the placemats used by
the children at Hammer. Bill loved the outdoors and had
a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious, musical
laugh.
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Jenny
Malmgren
An immigrant from Norway, Jenny Malmgren
served as a housemother at Hammer from 1929 until her
retirement in 1972. According to Evelyn Carlson, "There
were very few individuals who were as dedicated and trustworthy
as Mrs. Malmgren and many residents can trace their upbringing
to her kind care and counsel."
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Josephine
Robinson
Josephine Robinson co-founded the Hammer-Robinson
School with her friend, Alvina Hammer. They rented a home
near Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis in 1923, hired a teacher
and began caring for and teaching four children with special
needs. After a short time, Mrs. Robinson left to pursue
other things.
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Mildred
Thomson
As director of guardianship for the state, Mildred Thomson
played a key role in improving conditions and care for
people with developmental disabilities from 1924 to 1959.
Miss Thomson was also president of the nation's largest
professional organization on mental deficiency, and joined
Evelyn Carlson and Reuben Lindh in developing a national
association for parents of children with developmental
disabilities, now known as Arc.
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