On this day (April 1) in 1905, Clara McBride — later known as “Mother Hale” — was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Orphaned by 16, she moved to New York, raised three children alone after being widowed, and began caring for neighborhood children in her home.
At age 65, Hale took in a drug-addicted infant, which led to her caring for dozens of abandoned babies. With support from her children, she nurtured many back to health, later including AIDS-infected infants. Their efforts led to the founding of Hale House, a safe haven supported by donors.
In 1985, President Reagan honored her as a “true American hero.” Hale died in 1992 at 87 years old, leaving behind a powerful legacy of compassion and service.
