Aline Bernstein

10 Pages 2508 Words

st Theodore in 1904 and the second Edna in1906. During their first winter together as a family Aline had left Henri’s classes with the notion that she would soon return to them. Aline also fought two years to gain acceptance to the United Scenic Art Union. Aline was the first female member.
Lilliam Wald started the Settlement House. It was dedicated to actively help the lives of the poor. Wealthy families were stirred by Wald’s enthusiasm and passion to make significant donations to help her succeed in her dream. The children’s plight in particular seemed terrible to Wald. She was distraught by the living conditions that they were forced to be accustomed to and loathed the terrible child labor they were constantly subjected to. Even before the Henry Street Settlement House was functioning, Wald would call upon friends asking them to take the children into their world for just a few hours. She wanted the children to view homes with beautiful art and for them to see the colorful flowers and green lawns in Central Park.
This movement and support from several benefactors created the Henry Street Settlement House. Two women who were deeply devoted and involved in the house were Irene and Alice Lewisohn. They were young sisters who came from a wealthy family, whom Aline had become friendly with. The sisters strived to develop Henry Streets theatrical life. Their complete devotion to theatre endeared them to Aline. Through them Aline’s interest in the settlement house began to grow. By 1911 she was creating costumes for the drama club productions. This was the first time Aline had put her sewing talents to use. Her father had often told her how important the clothing an actor was wearing was to the interpretation of his character. She had never seen her talent in that light. Aline also found that there were props and the set to work on. She found she was quite adept to making blue prints, setting up entrances and exits and placin...