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Mother Bickerdyke comes to life at Central Congregational Church

For being nearly 200 years old, Mary Ann “Mother” Bickerdyke was looking especially vital last night at Central Congregational Church.
Local re-enactor Pam Johnson portrayed the iconic advocate for veterans and healthcare as a part of the celebration of Mother Bickerdyke day in Illinois.

Johnson spoke to attendees in the sanctuary of the same church Bickerdyke herself attended, about Bickerdyke’s improbably role as a savior to many Union soldiers due to her unflinching diligence in matters of sanitation and healthcare.

“We gave every man a bath, we gave them some nice clothes, nice soft clothing to wear, we fed them my good country chicken and oh those boys were so happy!,” Johnson exclaimed portraying Bickerdyke. “They started to call me mother, because I took care of them the way their mom’s would have done.”

The event also featured other Civil War re-enactors and artifact collectors like Nancy Golinghorst, the great-granddaughter of Civil War Major Hiland Henry Clay. She had medals, uniforms and letters belonging to Clay.

The second Wednesday in May every year was designated as a day of recognition for Bickerdyke in 2013 thanks to legislation sponsored by local lawmakers, Rep. Don Moffitt and Sen. John Sullivan.

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