Ludmila Foxlee
| Ludmila K. Foxlee | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ludmila Kuchar August 13, 1885 Czech Republic |
| Died |
April 15, 1971 (aged 85) New York, New York |
| Occupation | Social Worker, Teacher, Interpreter |
| Spouse(s) | John Foxlee |
Ludmila Kuchar Foxlee was a social worker at the Ellis Island immigration station. Employed by the YWCA after World War I, Foxlee spent time in Czechoslovakia to assist in rebuilding efforts before working at Ellis Island from 1920 to 1937. She became one of most well-known immigrant aid workers[1] and her meticulous notes are currently stored at the Ellis Island archives.
Early life
Foxlee was born in Bohemia in 1885. She emigrated to the United States with her family in 1890.
Social work
Foxlee helped thousands of detained immigrants at Ellis Island. She served as a translator, as she was fluent in several languages in addition to her native Czech. Foxlee was interested in the folk dress and music of newcomers. She also assisted in the immigrants' cultural assimilation to U.S. society, at times giving women a "makeover" with Americanized clothing.[2]
Footnotes
- ↑ "Immigrant Aid Worker - Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)". nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
- ↑ "A cautionary Valentine: They came to America for love, but found themselves on Heartbreak Island | The Independent". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-07.