Gertie

Divorce-a horrid seven letter word in 1914.

Gertie MacGregor, became the first and only

divorced woman in Laurel, Maryland. At

seventeen and in love with Edward Neal, her

world was roses and sunshine. She hoped

Edward would see the world as she did, but

after three years, her blinders were removed.

Edwards deep seeded anger ruled him. He

shattered her arm and the marriage. Society

expected her to make the best of it and keep

the marriage vows. She chose divorce.

Rejection-Words of condemnation rolled off

tongues at Gertie like hot bullets when she

was removed as soloist of the church choir.

Gazes were averted as she met friends and

neighbors. She was denied help in a time of

need, and lost her job when she stayed home

to care for her sick child. Her chosen path

was not accepted in small town America in

the early 1900s. She was ostracized and the

pitfalls were many as she struggled to raise

her son alone.

Gertie filled her life by serving veterans

at nearby Ft. Meade, through WWI and

WWII. She developed USO clubs and sat

at the bedsides of wounded heroes. WWII

changed womens place in the world. They

became part of the work force and raised

children alone. Eleanor Roosevelt officially

recognized Gerties service. She was redeemed

her in the eyes of her community.

Jesse Morgan partnered her in service to

veterans and brought love back into her life.

The beautiful winding staircase in Jesses

home was symbolic of her small steps to

some distant height. They walked in perfect

accord up the stairs to their future.

Courage-Gertie walked through life,

poignantly meeting the fears and hardships

of war, the devastation of loss and hatred,

and the joys and sorrows of love with the

grace of heroes.