{"id":13675,"date":"2025-01-17T08:20:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T13:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/?p=13675"},"modified":"2025-01-17T08:20:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T13:20:51","slug":"helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy","title":{"rendered":"Helen Gilman Brown: A Pioneer in Social Work and Philanthropy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Helen Gilman Brown (n\u00e9e Noyes) is remembered as an exceptional American altruist and social worker. For many years, she provided invaluable support to New York residents, particularly in the Upper East Side, where she was a leading activist within the Union Settlement organization. For her longstanding and dedicated service, Helen was awarded special recognition in 1919 when she was elected as a member of the National Institute of Social Sciences. Her contributions to social service and philanthropy remain an enduring legacy for both the city and the nation. More on <a href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/\">i-manhattan.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a013f3ea147a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a013f3ea147a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy\/#Early_Life\" >Early Life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy\/#Forming_the_%E2%80%9CLand_Army%E2%80%9D_for_Women\" >Forming the \u201cLand Army\u201d for Women<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy\/#Helen_Gilman_Brown_During_World_War_I\" >Helen Gilman Brown During World War I<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy\/#Post-War_Contributions\" >Post-War Contributions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/eternal-helen-gilman-brown-a-pioneer-in-social-work-and-philanthropy\/#Personal_Life_and_Family\" >Personal Life and Family<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Life\"><\/span>Early Life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124822\/1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124822\/1-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124822\/1-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124822\/1-1-768x605.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124822\/1-1-696x548.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen was born in New York City on October 12, 1867 (some sources cite 1868), to Daniel Rogers Noyes and Helen Adia Gilman Noyes. She descended from colonial families of New England. Helen grew up in a large family with five siblings: Winthrop, Evelyn, Caroline, Josephine, and Daniel Raymond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Daniel Rogers Noyes was born in Lyme, Connecticut, on November 10, 1836. His ancestry traced back to Reverend James Noyes, rector of Cholderton, England, who emigrated to Boston in 1634. His son graduated from Harvard in 1638 and helped found Yale University, becoming one of its first trustees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen was the 10th descendant of Richard Warren, one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, and a descendant of William Coddington, the first governor of colonial Rhode Island, and Anne Hutchinson, a pioneer in advocating for women\u2019s intellectual freedom. On her mother\u2019s side, Helen descended from prominent figures such as Governor Mayhew, Reverend Chandler Robbins of Plymouth Colony, and George Bethune, who brought French lineage into the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen\u2019s early years were divided between the eastern and western United States. After her father\u2019s health declined, the family moved away from New York, and Helen spent much of her childhood in Minnesota. At 14, she returned to Connecticut to attend Miss Porter\u2019s School in Farmington, led by Sarah Porter, sister of Noah Porter, president of Yale College. Following her graduation, Helen deepened her musical education in Vienna, where she studied under Theodor Leschetizky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forming_the_%E2%80%9CLand_Army%E2%80%9D_for_Women\"><\/span>Forming the \u201cLand Army\u201d for Women<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124820\/2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124820\/2-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124820\/2-1-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124820\/2-1-768x660.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124820\/2-1-696x599.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the war, the U.S. government emphasized the importance of conserving food and increasing domestic production. To support farmers and expand agricultural output, the Women\u2019s Land Army of America was founded, achieving significant success. The group comprised \u201cplatoons of young women,\u201d primarily industrial workers and college students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1918, these units operated in 21 states, and over 1,500 members received specialized training. Farmers welcomed their assistance, and the women proved capable of performing diverse agricultural tasks. Many of these young women later expressed interest in continuing their work in agriculture post-war. Helen served as the national president of this organization during the final year of the conflict and worked closely with the Department of Labour in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helen_Gilman_Brown_During_World_War_I\"><\/span>Helen Gilman Brown During World War I<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124819\/3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124819\/3-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124819\/3-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124819\/3-1-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124819\/3-1-696x451.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With the outbreak of World War I, Helen Gilman Brown eagerly embraced new responsibilities. She joined the National War Work Council of the YWCA, serving as chair of public relations before becoming vice chair. In the absence of the chair in Europe, Helen assumed leadership of the council, underscoring her strong leadership qualities and commitment to impactful projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1918, at the request of the War Work Council, Helen traveled to France to inspect stations organized for female munitions workers, Signal Corps operators, Red Cross nurses, and employees of the French Ministry of War. Alongside prominent figures like Mrs. Herbert Lee Pratt and Mrs. Frances McNeil Bacon, Helen prepared a report for General John J. Pershing, commander of the U.S. Army, detailing the YWCA\u2019s support for women connected to the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Post-War_Contributions\"><\/span>Post-War Contributions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"558\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124818\/4-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124818\/4-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124818\/4-1-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124818\/4-1-768x536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-manhattan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/01\/17124818\/4-1-696x485.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the war, Helen remained active in the YWCA, becoming the national finance chair of the National Council. Amid the challenges of recovery, she undertook speaking tours across the country, urging public support for the YWCA\u2019s efforts to help young women achieve self-reliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1922, Helen and her family traveled to Europe, spending the winter in London as a member of the YWCA World Committee. In March 1923, she joined an unofficial delegation to Paris, working with French leaders and addressing international concerns, including the Ruhr crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen was elected president of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York and later served as the National Chair of the Sulgrave Institution Endowment Fund Committee. She also co-founded the Cosmopolitan Club and was a member of numerous organizations, including the Colony Club, Albemarle Club (London), Colonial Dames, Mayflower Club, and the YWCA World Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Personal_Life_and_Family\"><\/span>Personal Life and Family<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen married Reverend Dr. William Adams Brown on March 30, 1892. They had four children. Their eldest son, John Crosby Brown, became a public relations consultant and fundraising campaign manager after serving in World War II. Another son, Winthrop Brown, served as U.S. ambassador to Laos and Korea. Tragically, their daughter Helen Adams Brown succumbed to polio just before attending Vassar College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The family lived at 49 East 80th Street in New York City and spent summers at their estate, &#8220;The Tree-Tops,&#8221; on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Helen and her husband were deeply involved in building and supporting a local church and promoting kindergarten education in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helen Gilman Brown passed away on December 12, 1942, at her Park Avenue residence. At 75, she left behind a remarkable legacy of philanthropy and social reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Helen Gilman Brown (n\u00e9e Noyes) is remembered as an exceptional American altruist and social worker. For many years, she provided invaluable support to New York residents, particularly in the Upper East Side, where she was a leading activist within the Union Settlement organization. For her longstanding and dedicated service, Helen was awarded special recognition in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":520,"featured_media":13688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4819],"tags":[6006,5996,6004,6009,5997,6001,6003,6010,5995,6008,5999,6005,5994,6002,5998,6000],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[88],"moimportance":[32,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-13675","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovator","8":"tag-american-colonial-heritage","9":"tag-american-philanthropist","10":"tag-charity-in-new-york","12":"tag-helen-gilman-brown","13":"tag-helen-noyes-biography","14":"tag-national-institute-of-social-sciences","15":"tag-postwar-philanthropy","16":"tag-progressive-era-activism","17":"tag-social-reform","18":"tag-social-worker","19":"tag-union-settlement","20":"tag-upper-east-side-history","21":"tag-womens-land-army","22":"tag-womens-rights","23":"tag-ywca","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-copywriting","26":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","27":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/520"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13675"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13691,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13675\/revisions\/13691"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13675"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=13675"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=13675"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-manhattan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=13675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}