The Blue Rose Foundation, a not for profit 501 (c) (3) organization, was established in 1974 shortly
after the first edition of The Blue Rose by Gerda Weissmann Klein was published. The book is the story of Jenny,
a child with developmental disabilities. It was among the first books to be written in an effort to help people understand
and empathize with those with developmental disabilities Reader's Digest recognized its universal appeal and printed it
in over 20 languages. The book was the inspiration for a movie produced in India. In Canada, a young man composed a musical
score with the same name and gave it to The Blue Rose Foundation. The Blue Rose Foundation
Board Beverly Slichta-Cusick,
President
Lois Dabney, Vice President
Georgia Mesches, Treasurer
Cheryl Misercola, Secretary
Mary Aronica
Marcia Brogan
Kristin Chernowski
Peggy Cohen
Linda Foley
| Lillian
Gerstman
Amy Holdnack
Gunilla Theander Kester
Nancy Kirkpatrick
Nancy Mariconda
Gay Meyers
Carmelina Misercola
Fran Paskowitz
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| The original Blue Rose cover |
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| 1974 |
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Our Goals
The Blue Rose foundation strives to support projects
that will educate and promote understanding of developmental disabilities and improve
the quality of life for those with developmental disabilities. |
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A mother's reflection The words of Jenny's mother, Lillian Gerstman, in
the preface of the 2008 edition, best describes what has happened between 1974 and today.
My daughter Jenny
was the original "blue rose."... Now Jenny is forty-five, living with other developmentally challenged adults...
As a child, she was not included in the educational and social life of her cohorts or her community. In this revised edition,
we meet a new Jenny who has been blessed with the benefits of legislation, both federal and state. Included in the world of
peers throughout her life, our new young Jenny- unlike the blue roses of my Jenny's generation-has been given opportunies
and tools to more fully reach her pontential as a human being.
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