Ellen Kingsley was a social worker who assisted immigrants in adjusting to their new home in America. She didn’t speak any other language except English yet she somehow, usually managed to make things work out for her clients. More often than not she found someone from the neighborhood who helped her converse with her clients in their own language.
Ellen was barely 5 foot with bright curly red hair and dimples. She was so tiny she often got lost in a crowd until she spoke. Her voice was remarkably like a wrestling announcer at ring-side, loud and deep. Everyone who encountered her was astonished by her tiny person after hearing her speak.
Ellen was running late today. She missed the streetcar on Western Avenue which took her to the “Immigrant Assistance Organization” in Evanston. (*) She has been working at the IAO for just one year since she had completed her education at Loyola. The Jesuits kept pushing her to be a nurse but she was never successful at bed pans and blood. Finally she completed a course in Foreign born migration and decided this would be her career focus. Although, she really wanted to be a doctor, her advisor told her she was too small for a career in medicine.
As she approached her desk behind the glass door in the storefront IAO office, Mr. Longbourne the director caught her eye. With a scowl, he growled, “Promptness is a necessary trait for a successful government employee, Miss Kingsley.”
Ellen’s response as she took off her coat echoed across the room. “Sorry Mr. Longbourne, it won’t happen again.”
Her colleague Susan appeared at Ellen’s desk with a file and a young women wearing a huge brimmed hat dressed in a simple black skirt and white blouse. Her attire was plain for 1908 but within fashion parameters. She was accompanied by a slightly older woman, also similarly attired. As Susan handed Ellen a file she introduced the women to Ellen.
“Ellen, this is Ester Nilsson. She recently arrived in the United States from Sweden. She speaks very little English. She is accompanied by Miss Anderson who will translate for her. Ellen took the folder and gestured for the women to sit down.
As she reviewed the file, Ellen asked, “What is the nature of your visit?”
Ester responded with much anguish in Swedish as Miss Anderson translated for her.
“I come to this country by myself to earn living to bring my baby daughter to here. Now that I have money, they tell me I cannot have my baby. They say she is adopted and is no longer mine.”
Ellen watched the young mother while she talked. Tears rolled down her cheeks when she told the story which Miss Anderson translated.
Ellen asked, “Who was caring for your daughter, Miss Nilsson?”
Miss Anderson responded after she translated for Ester what Ellen had said.
“My brother’s family. I just left Marie with them temporarily until I could send for her. My sister Carine was going to bring her to America after I got money. Now I got this letter saying that August has taken the child as his own.”
Ester gave the letter to Ellen. Ellen saw that the letter was in Swedish and gave it back to Miss Anderson to translate. Ester continued to sob while Miss Anderson read the letter.
24 June 1908
Vislanda, Sweden
Dear Sister,
Please understand that we decided to adopt Marie. She is better off here on the farm with Margit and I. Mama does not want Carine to travel to the U.S. by herself with a baby. She worries that something will happen to her. Please sign the papers we enclosed so we can legally care for Marie. You will always be part of her life as Auntie. Mama has also written to you.
Your brother, August
Ester still sobbing spoke in Swedish. “De kan inte gora. De kan inte gora.”
Miss Anderson looked at Ellen and said, “They can’t do this. They can’t do this.”
Through Ester’s sobs, Ellen responded. “Miss Nilsson I will check with our legal department to determine how we can help. Where can we reach you?”
Miss Anderson translated what Ellen said and gave Ellen Ester’s address along with the letter and papers her brother sent. Then she told Ester that Ellen will contact her by letter to have her return to the IAO when Ellen has some information for her.
Ellen said in parting, “Tell Miss Nilsson that she should write to her brother telling him the American legal system will deal with his actions.”
Miss Anderson thanked Ellen as did Ester, “Tack! Tack sa mycket!” and the two women left the IAO office.
Ellen looked back at the file with a sigh. She knew there really wasn’t much she could do. Ester should embrace her new life and leave the past in the past.
Outside the IAO Ester leans against the storefront and searches through her purse for her handkerchief,
“Miss Anderson, Thank you so much for helping me through the meeting with Miss Ellen. I think she will help don’t you?”
“Ester, Let’s go back to the University House to talk more about this.”
Miss Anderson linked Ester’s arm to lead her down the street toward their place of work but Ester gently pulled away.
She said looking sternly at Miss Anderson, “I’m not going back to the University House today. I need some time to make decisions. Please know I am so grateful to you. Tell Mrs. Jansen, I will not return.”
Miss Anderson started to protest but Ester just walked away leaving her no choice but to go on alone.