News

The Akron Municipal Court and the Glendale Cemetery will co-host an in-person tribute on Thursday, November 10, 2022 beginning at 1:00 p.m. for Mary E. Gladwin who served our country as a nurse active in three wars. The ceremony will take place in the Civil War Memorial Chapel on the Glendale property followed by a walking tour of the cemetery.

Ms. Gladwin lived from 1861 until 1939 and is buried at Glendale Cemetery.

She graduated from Buchtel College in 1887 with her Bachelor of Philosophy degree and immediately began teaching physics and chemistry in Norwalk, Ohio until 1893. After teaching, Gladwin went to Boston, Massachusetts and received her nurse's training from Boston City Hospital in 1894 and 1895.

Three years later, Gladwin went to Cuba as a Red Cross volunteer during the Spanish-American War. In 1899, she was awarded the Spanish-American War Medal for her service.

She also organized and directed the George T. Perkins Visiting Nurse Association in Akron which would become the Department of Public Health Nursing of Akron.

In 1916, she became an incorporator and member of the first Board of Directors for the Summit County Chapter of the American Red Cross. The chapter received its charter on June 29, 1916 and one day later, the women’s auxiliary was formed.

In 1920, Ms. Gladwin was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Committee of the Red Cross for her nursing service and was also awarded an honorary degree, the L.L.D., from The University of Akron. Mary Gladwin Hall at the University of Akron was named in her honor.

Members of the press and public are welcome to attend to the event taking place at 150 Glendale Avenue in Akron.

The following speakers are listed on the agenda for the ceremony:

• Steven Kaut, Glendale Cemetery Chief Operating Officer, will welcome the group and describe the importance of the Civil War Memorial Chapel.
  
  
• Leianne Neff Heppner, President & CEO of the Summit County Historical Society, will give a history of Akron Rural Cemetery, known today as Glendale Cemetery and the role the Perkins Family had in the cemetery’s creation.
  
  
• Dennis Parks, Akron Municipal Court Probation Officer, will describe Ms. Gladwin’s journey and her impact on society.
  
  
• Ginger MacCutcheon, Registered Nurse, Second Junior Vice Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Ohio and winner of the James Seminaroti Veteran of the Year Award from The Veterans Service Commission of Summit County for 2021, will discuss women in the military. She will be introduced by United States Navy, Lieutenant, JAGC Veteran and Akron Municipal Court Magistrate Jennifer D. Towell.

A walking tour of the cemetery will be held for all who wish to participate. The Chapel is not heated, so please dress appropriately based on the day’s weather forecast.

"I would like to thank all United States Veterans for their service," said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jerry Larson who also presides over the Valor Court, a specialized Veteran’s treatment docket. "I am grateful for our staff, the Glendale Cemetery leadership team and those speaking on November 10 as everyone involved is bringing attention to Ms. Gladwin’s compassion and global impact."

Greeters will point guests in the proper direction for parking and entry into the Memorial Chapel upon arrival.

Any questions related to the event should be directed to the Court’s Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator Nicole Hagy at (330) 375-2186 or NHagy@akronohio.gov.

Mary E. Gladwin

Judge Jerry Larson