Category: Progressive Period (1900-1919)

Mrs. Marie Reid Laub Babcox was one of the more influential leaders of the local Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).

She was a lifetime member of the YWCA and she served as president of the Akron YWCA board of directors from 1933-1936. Babcox’s interests extended beyond just the local level though. She was a member of the hospitality committee at Chautauqua, which was a department of the national YWCA board. Her other involvement with national organizations included the World Service Council and the National Interpretation and Support Committee.

Outside of her YWCA work, Babcox was well-known for her leadership in the Woman’s City Club, the Altrusa College Club, the Akron Council of Church Women and the Flora Stone Mather Alumnae. She also served as third vice president of the Young Women’s Christian Association from 1926-1927 and she participated in the Tuesday Musical Club as a director and a singer. She attended the First Congregational Church.

Described in the Akron Beacon Journal as a “widely known clubwoman and social leader,” Babcox was born in Cleveland but moved to Akron in 1914. She married Edward S. Babcox, who was president of Babcox Publications, a company that puts out a number of specialized business magazines. They had four children: Reid, Tom B., Edward S. Jr. and Anne. The Babcoxs resided at 666 North Portage Path.

Babcox died in 1962 in Winter Park, Fla., of a heart aliment that she suffered from for many years. When she died, she left behind her husband, her children and 18 grandchildren. She was cremated in Winter Park.

–Janelle Baltputnis

Mrs. Hallie E. Andrews was one of the founding members of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).

In 1901, Andrews was a Sunday school teacher at Grace Reformed Church, as well as president of the Missionary Society there. At that time, she met with several women at Mrs. D.P. Wheeler’s home to start the YWCA in Akron. She was one of the original 18 members of the board of directors. In addition, Andrews held the position of secretary within the organization from 1901-1907, the position of treasurer from 1921-1934, and she served as a lunchroom chairman.

On the YWCA’s 50th anniversary, Andrews was named an honorary lifetime member of the board. She was the first person to ever receive that distinction. She was also honored with the position of honorary president of the Heidelburg Class at Grace United Church of Christ. Andrews was a member of the Akron and Summit County Federation of Women’s Clubs as well.

Andrews was an Akron native and lived there her whole life. She was married to Benjamin F. Andrews, who was the vice president and treasurer of MT Cutter & Co. They resided at 278 West North St. Andrews, who was widowed later in her life, died in 1962 in Maple Crest Nursing Home in Uniontown, Ohio, at the age of 93, after suffering from an illness for 19 months.

Photo courtesy of the Beacon Journal.

–Janelle Baltputnis