12 Feb The Twig — Announcements
Flash Cold Weather Sale at the Twig Shop!!
Furs are 20% off the marked price.
Twig wants you to stay warm in your new FUR COAT!
Alexandria Hospital: Women Mobilize the Community
Alexandria Hospital, Duke Street 1918.
This 2023-24 exhibition marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Alexandria Infirmary — today’s Inova Alexandria Hospital. Women established and sustained the hospital by fostering community support, making it one of Alexandria’s most community-based enterprises.
Healthcare in Alexandria took a big step forward when a group of Alexandria women led by Julia Johns met to organize the Infirmary in December 1872. Through their efforts, townspeople were no longer required to go to Richmond or Washington, D.C. to receive hospital care.
Alexandria, VA, December 12th, 1872
At a meeting of ladies called by Miss Julia Johns to meet in the lecture room of St. Paul’s P.E. Church in this City, with a view to the formation of a Society, to establish and control a Hospital for the sick among the respectable laboring classes. There were present, the following named persons:
| Miss Julia Johns | Mrs. John Stuart |
| Miss Lucy Dorsey | Mrs. G.Y. Worthington |
| Miss M.V. Smith | Mrs. D.F. Sprigg |
| Rev. Dr. Norton | George R. Hill |
— Minutes Book, Alexandria Infirmary
Julia Johns’ group became the Board of Managers, also called the Board of Lady Managers. From the institution’s beginning and throughout its history to the present, women have played a key role in the hospital’s administration, patient care, and support.
We have two lovely wedding gowns for sale right now! Please go to the Thrift Shop page on this website for details!
Landmark Groundbreaking Ceremony
On September thirtieth, a group of more than seventy people composed of Inova Hospital leadership, architects, builders, elected leaders from the community, Foundation members, and other philanthropic groups including the Twig and the Board of Lady Managers, met underneath a white tent to celebrate the beginning of our new hospital. In spite of the gloomy day, our spirits were high and the speeches celebratory. The Twig and the Board of Lady Managers were acknowledged for their years of dedication and support for our community hospital since its inception. The street in front of the hospital will bear the name of Julia Johns, a nod to the role of the ladies of Alexandria in the founding and support of the early hospital. The Twig was well represented by President Rachel Bishop; Hospital Liaison Mary Schoen; and Past Presidents Jennifer Kilmer, Kathy Hirsch, Seema Nawaz, and Janet Hawkins, all members of the Foundation Board. President Barbara Wells represented the Board of Lady Managers.
82nd Annual Homes Tour Breaks Record
The most frequent question asked? “Which was your favorite house?” The most common answer, “I can’t choose just one!” The 82nd was successful by any standard. There were 1200 tickets sold, a new record, and counted guests who visited the six homes were around 900! The Homes Tour experience was superb this year. There was something for everyone, from the “Lafayette House,” to a home chock-a-block with NYC memorabilia, an exotic mask collection, and little rubber duckies everywhere, to homes that were resurrected from the dead and reimagined in modern ways that respected their colonial past. Every home had a space in which you could imagine yourself sipping coffee, or a cocktail, and losing yourself in your favorite pastime.
Kudos to Amy Fernandez, Lillian Siegel and the entire Homes Tour Committee for a job well done.
Twig Thrift Shop Opens To A Waiting Crowd
It was a beautiful day and the excitement level was high. As one of our customers opined, “It’s been a long dry spell!” They were lined up all the way to the Hen Quarter seating area. Some had been there since 8 AM! As the door opened they peacefully filed into the shop. Let the games begin! The opening day team was ready to work and their efforts paid off!
IAH Open House!
Many thanks to the Twigs who participated in last week’s IAH Summer Open House. Jennifer Kilmer shared that Twig had a great turnout for the detailed briefing on the structure of the Inova Health System and the process change when Dr. Jones took over as CEO. He spearheaded the development of the regional strategy, which contributed to the IAH Oakville care site design and approach to serving the community. In her remarks, Dr Bansal noted the close connection between the hospital and community partners, including the longtime support of The Twig.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.