Maude Watters Milar

Maude Watters Milar played an active part in shaping women's groups in turn-of-the-century Akron, Ohio. She was especially involved with the start of the Girl Scouts and the Mary Day Nursery.

Maude Watters married Wilbur W. Milar, president of the Harter-Milar Hardware Company and superintendent of the parks system in Akron. They lived at 62 Adolph; both were active in community organizations.

Both were board members of the Mary Day Nursery and Children's Hospital. Milar was not only on the board, but she was also a charter member of the organization. The Mary Day Nursery served the children of working mothers. Milar's involvement began in 1890 and ended with her resignation in 1935. During that time, she was also an associate of the Women's Board and a member of the House Committee.

In addition to her extensive involvement with the Mary Day Nurser and Children's Hospital, Milar was also a part of many city organizations. From 1913 to 1914, she was president of the Home and School League, an association committed to improving the link between parents, teachers and school administration organized by Blanche Carnahan Seiberling. In 1919 Milar became the chairman on the Women's Unity of the Summit County War Work Council, a part of the Women's Division of the Council of National Defense.

In 1927, Milar was elected the Akron head of conservation and became the state chairman for Forest Week in that same year.

She was also an active part of Akron girl scouting. She was a member of the council that helped to organize the Girl Scouts in Akron and remained a committee member until the family moved to Boston. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts in Boston.

Photo courtesy of the Beacon Journal.

--Stephanie Devers