Elaine Whitelaw

Roseamond Elaine Whitelaw (born November 21, 1914; died in 1992) was a volunteer who was the chief fundraiser of the March of Dimes for over 50 years.[1] In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited her to join the national women's committee of the March of Dimes.[2] Whitelaw created a volunteer network and various programs for the charity.

Early life and education

Whitelaw was born on November 21, 1914 to parents Louis and Dora Whitelaw.[3] Her father was a wealthy diamond merchant in New York.[3][4] She had two younger brothers, Seymour and Jordan.[3]

March of Dimes career

Whitelaw led the Women's Division for the March of Dimes, where, in 1945 she introduced a star-studded fashion show fundraiser at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City that was later replicated in cities nationwide generating millions of dollars.[5] In 1949, Whitelaw organized a traveling exhibition, The Court of Jewels, featuring Harry Winston's gem collection to raise money for the March of Dimes.[5] Whitelaw's unit produced phone-a-thons that subsequently became a staple of American fundraising programs and sewing events that produced oversized "polio blankets" now credited as the forerunner of the AIDS quilt.[5]

Legacy

The Elaine Whitelaw Service Award is the most distinguished award a March of Dimes volunteer can receive.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Elaine Whitelaw; March of Dimes Fund-Raiser". Los Angeles Times. 19 December 1992. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. ^ O'Neill, Molly (Dec 17, 1992). "Elaine Whitelaw, 77, March of Dimes Backer, Dies". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c O'Neill, Molly (27 October 1990). "Charity's Grande Dame steps down". The Republican. p. 18. Retrieved 20 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "5 New Yorkers Hurt as Auto is Wrecked; Louis Whitelaw, His Family and Chauffeur Are Injured in Crash in Massachusetts". The New York Times. 1 December 1934. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Oshinsky, David M. (2005). Polio: An American Story. Oxford University Press. pp. 86–87. ISBN 978-0-1998-4008-3.
  6. ^ "Help us improve the health of all moms and babies". March of Dimes. Retrieved 2024-03-27.

Further reading

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