Dear TMH Alumnae and Friends,
I feel blessed to celebrate my first six months at TMH! It’s been such a joy to get to know our residents, alumnae, staff and neighbors. I’m seeing many sides of TMH, from sleepy residents getting breakfast, to the quiet that permeates the building during the weekdays, to the energy in the lobby on Friday night as residents prepare to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Unfortunately, TMH has quite literally weathered a recent storm, from which we did not escape unscathed.
On Friday, March 2
nd
, a powerful windstorm hit Washington, DC and the surrounding areas with nearly hurricane-force winds sustained over a 24-hour period. While we are grateful that no one was injured, I am sad to report that the brick privacy wall that bordered the back garden
came down during the storm
. We experienced other damage to the building, but nothing as significant as the loss of our garden wall.
The shock of the destruction serves as a powerful reminder of how fragile an historic building can be. Only after the fact did we realize that the wall was a symbol of our history and foundation – providing protection and stability for the past 87 years. We notice its absence more than we ever noticed its presence; it’s difficult to avoid the hundreds of bricks sprawled across the lawn and the damage they have done. That 60-foot gap reminds us how critical it is that we care for the building, not just its residents, and that we build the resources required to care for the building to ensure young women can have a safe and comfortable home for many years to come.
