March is Women's History Month and Erie News Now is celebrating local women who have paved the way for others.

The life and legacy of one of those women has left its mark on the Erie area after living a life dedicated to educating those with disabilities.

"We really started it because we had hope, and we had faith, and we had love for these children." - Dr. Gertude Barber

In her own words, the late Dr. Gertrude Barber explains the motivation behind what is now the world-renowned Barber National Institute, a mission she first recognized while working for the Erie School District in the 1950s.

"She then had to tell the parents that if their child had a disability, they did not have special education programs," said Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey. "Families only had two options. One was to keep the child at home or - two - send the child to an institution. And you can imagine how she felt when she would have to say that to families."

Dr. Barber-Carey is Gertrude Barber's niece. She is also the Institute's executive vice president. She says her aunt had an ambitious plan from the start when she was first leased the former Lakeview Hospital on Erie's east side.

"She wanted that whole hospital for her children and adults with disabilities," said Barber-Carey. "So, at the time, various other nonprofits said to her, 'oh Gertude, what are you going to do with that whole hospital? Why don't you share it with us? We could all rent together,' And she said, 'I know were going to need that whole facility, and she took the whole facility and pretty soon, she outgrew that whole facility."

Barber-Carey remembers her aunt as a trailblazer.

"It was her vision that children with disabilities, whether you lived in Erie, California or France,  should and could have educational programs," said Barber-Carey. "She changed the whole realm of services for children with disabilities." 

And her legacy lives on. In 2019, the Catholic Diocese of Erie opened up a cause for canonization that could lead to sainthood for Barber. It's an effort that was interrupted by the pandemic, but expected to resume soon.

"It's a long process," said Barber-Carey. "We understand that, for some, it can take 20 years or even longer. But we truly believe that the cause is a good one and, we believe, will be recognized."