Barber National Institute Celebrates Founder's Day
Erie, PA (Sept. 20, 2024) - Employees across Barber National Institute celebrated the legacy and birthday of its founder Dr. Gertrude Barber with a parking lot party for adults, children and employees.
"The world that Gertrude Barber faced in 1952 held few opportunities for persons with disabilities. Schools were not required to educate children with disabilities, whose only options were to remain at home without a formal education or be sent to a distant institution. Having a job or being a part of a community was not event considered," said Barber National Institute President and CEO John Barber. "Dr. Barber decided to change that. She began by working with families and retired teachers to open a single classroom for children with intellectual disabilities. Very soon, her mission would ignite a community, a region, a state."
The celebration included music from Band Together Erie, a nonprofit organization that creates music programs for those on the autism spectrum, homemade ice cream from Connie's Ice Cream, yard games and dancing.
