Bessie Raymond, 1868-1923

Supporters of Akron Children's Hospital can be traced back to its earliest days as the Mary Day Nursery. Bessie Raymond was among the first to volunteer at Akron's day care center that came to be called the Mary Day Nursery.

Born in 1868 into the well respected Raymond family (her father was William B. Raymond, the banker; her mother was Helen Beebe Raymond, a leader in Akron's women's community), she learned that the rewards of privilege were often service to the Akron community.

Raymond spent several years as president of the Women's Board of Mary Day Nursery, as well as assistant treasurer. Mary Day Nursery was one of first to offer day care in Akron. Established by the Perkins family as well as the other members of the "King's Daughters" of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the nursery offered daycare to children whose mothers worked outside the home. Raymond also served on the board of trustees of the nursery.

Although Raymond dedicated much of her time to the support of the Mary Day Nursery, she was also very active in St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

--Angela Abel