DescriptionEdith Elizabeth Lowry was born on March 23rd, 1897 in Plainfield NJ. After her graduation from Wellesley College in 1920, Lowry was involved with several organizations that promoted the health and rights of migrant workers. By 1929 Lowry was director of migrant work on the Council of Women for Home Missions, and in 1936 she was named its executive secretary of the Division of Home Missions and national director of the Migrant Ministry Program of the NCC. She remained at those positions through 1961.
The migrant ministry established day-care centers for laborers children; supervised health, nutrition, recreation, and education of both adults and children; offered summer courses to children who had fallen behind in school; educated migrants about Social Security benefits; and provided recreational and religious activities and counseling. A dedicated leader, Lowry personally visited migrant camps all over New Jersey and the rest of the country.