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An Almost Interview with Ann Plume Behan Herron, Founder of Norfolk's First Public Hospital
By Katie Molinaro First Place
Norfolk, Virginia
Maury High School
I have been eagerly awaiting my chance to interview the generous Miss Ann Plume Behan Herron, caretaker of the poor and sick. However, she, as many others in this year 1855, has taken to her bed due to the Great Pestilence running rampant. Yet, I refuse to let the opportunity pass to recognize her achievements, and reflect on what I would ask her if given the chance.
Miss Herron and her brother, who were orphans, were adopted by their uncle and brought from Ireland to Norfolk. I wish I could learn more about her beginnings in Ireland, from her standpoint, and hear her comparison of Wexford and our Norfolk. Between her uncle and his wife's family, Miss Herron received quite a fortune in inheritance. Not only did Miss Herron use her money for the founding of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, she also contributed a sum to the Daughters of Charity who were in charge of St. Mary's Orphan Asylum. As far as she had come in her adopted family, Miss Herron never forgot about or looked down on those less fortunate than she.
However, Miss Herron's good works did not end with monetary donations. She also contributed her time by visiting the poor. More recently, Miss Herron passed up her brother's offer to sail to Europe and escape the yellow fever. Instead, she has opened up her house to those inflicted with the fever and, with the help of the Daughters of Charity, has successfully nursed victims back to health. Given the chance to flee the fever she has decided to put herself on the front line of this killer. Her reward for this benevolence? She has contracted the fever and her condition is not promising. Does she ever regret her decision?
We cannot view this tragedy in complete grief, for some good is rumored to eventually come out of this. Miss Herron has asked her brother to donate the remainder of her inheritance to found Norfolk's first public hospital, planned to be named after the saint Vincent DePaul. This unending generosity, even as she leaves this world, sparks inquiries about the woman behind these good deeds.
The first, perhaps most obvious question is why? Why devote her time and money to those most simply avoid? Why not turn a blind eye? Why does she feel the need to assist those of the low classes? And why give her life, literally, to helping the sick? Giving one's life for others is the ultimate sacrifice. What motivated her to give so much? Was it a way of passing along the generosity of her uncle who adopted her? Did she ever have a moment where she felt selfish, exhausted by the troubles of the less fortunate and simply desired fancy things for herself? What other ways did she spend her free time? Did her numerous contributions satisfy her? I have noticed how many of Miss Herron's charities were associated with the Catholic faith. How did her personal spirituality and level of belief factor into these contributions? Also, what kind of barriers did she have to overcome as an orphan, an immigrant, a woman, and a determined humanist? Was it worth it? The public of Norfolk thinks so and is grateful for all of Miss Herron's benevolence.
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