Volume 4, Number 6 - Winter 1971


Mrs. William Ruilkoetter A Letter

Springfield, Mo., March 15, 1935

I first knew Mrs. L. M. (William) Rullkoetter some twelve or fourteen years ago when there was a community effort to secure better school conditions and from that time on she was a directing force in any effort to secure better community life for children.

She was the first president of the Pa rent-Teachers Association in the Springfield Schools. It was through her effort that this first association had been organized as the older type of Mother Club, and later by direct effort all the schools in Springfield established Parent-Teacher groups. As head of the Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, the growth and influence of these associations in the community was remarkable.

Mrs. Rullkoetter was instrumental in organizing the first visiting Nurse Association in Springfield and through its efforts—a Public Health Nurse has been secured. Systematic physical examination of school children, public play grounds, and playground supervision were urged and realized.

Other established agencies followed because of the influence of Mrs. Rullkoetter, but we Springfield women often say that the really big thing Mrs. Rullkoeter did for us is that years ago she had the vision of what the community owed its children, its sick, its needy and its deliquent, and that she never lost sight of that vision nor did she allow any of us to do so.

I most heartily congratulate any group that secures the assistance of Mrs. Rullkoetter.

Cordially

Mrs. Karl R. Maton, Chairman of National Literature Committee of National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Association, Springfield, Missouri [8]


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