Bertha Stevens

1904 Program:
Present address: 65 Grandview Avenue, Plainfield, NJ.

December 1905 Kalends:

Bertha Stevens has been visiting in Baltimore.

February 1910 Kalends:

Bertha Stevens is secretary of Consumers' League of Cleveland, Ohio.

May 1947 Alumnae Quarterly:

From a New York Times newspaper clipping we learned, too late for a written tribute for this issue, that Bertha Stevens died April 9, 1947, in Downer's Grove, Illinois.
The article said that for 18 years Bertha was third grade teacher at the Avery Coonley School, and well known as an author. Some of her best known books are: "Child and the Universe," "The Child Goes Forth," "How Miracles Abound," and "Thoreau, Reporter of the Universe," the last of which is in the alumnae library in the Alumnae Lodge. She has also written articles on science for educational magazines. She was a member of the Public Educational Association of New York City, the Cleveland Education Foundation, and the Andrew Carnegie Corporation Americanization Society.
She is buried in Plainfield, N.J., her former home. Her two sisters live in Florida and New Jersey.

August 1947 Alumnae Quarterly:

"I was born in New York State and lived more than half of my life very near to, or right in New York City. I am older than Judy Russell, but younger than Santa Claus. In fact, he was quite old, even when I was little.
I was graduated from Goucher College, in Baltimore. I have also taken various courses in arts and sciences in various places. Right out of college, I went to live at the College Settlement in New York, in the very heart of the colorful, crowded, foreign East Side. Later I did settlement work in Cleveland; then survey work for the foundations, like the Carnegie Corporation, in a number of cities and communities.
Next some years were spent in studying and using rhythmic dancing. This was one of the happiest and most important experiences I ever had. It influenced everything that came after.
I first got acquainted with children at a rhythmic dance camp. We were looking at some beautiful shells together. Through this I came to know I wanted to teach children, and to explore the wonder and the beauty of the universe with them. I found that children are wonderful, and that they seem to understand somethings better than grown-ups do.
I have been associated with eight summer camps or institutes for adults.
Since coming to The Avery Coonley School I have written and had published four books and a number of articles. I have in mind another book. It will be about design in nature.
My favorite pleasures are hiking, traveling and books. I used to go on allday walks with my father from the time I was very little. I have enjoyed mountain climbing, particularly. The mountains I have climbed include: the Kentucky mountains, the Caroline mountains near Asheville, Stone Mountain in Georgia, the Rockies, Mt. Rainier in Washington State, the mountains of Glacier Park, Montana, the Swiss Alps, the Connemara Mountains in Ireland, and the high hills of the Black Forest in Germany.
Traveling- I love it. I have gone to Europe three times and hope to go again.
The outstanding book for me, is the Bible, on account of its content and its literary beauty. I enjoy many poets - Walt Whitman, most of all. I like Chinese poetry, philosophical writings, and art. I have a fellow-feeling for Henry D. Thoreau.
My association with The Avery Coonley School is one of the finest things that ever happened to me, and I am deeply grateful for it."
This autobiographical sketch was prepared by Miss Stevens at the request of one of the Eigth Grade children. It was to be used as one of a series of articles in the Newsletter about members of The Avery Cooney School Staff.