Lakewood Lore

Latest technology helps fulfill longstanding dream

Lakewood's Carlyn M. Irwin won't let up.

Never mind that she is 91 and beset by osteoporosis and failing eyesight. Her longstanding efforts to promote world peace remain as aglow as ever.

The latest step in her noble resolve has been the creation of an endowment -- the Carlyn Irwin Fund -- to advance international understanding by making global information available to children through modern computer technology.

As a start, Irwin's generosity has funded, for Lakewood Public Library, three multimedia computers.

"These are state-of-the-art acquisitions that are now in operation at the library," said Kenneth Warren, library director, "to give easy access to data concerning the nations of the world and thus extend our knowledge and appreciation of other cultures."

"Included is a whole gamut of information, ranging from flags and maps to history, geography, languages and customs."

In addition, Irwin has donated books and videocassettes to the library that deal with the United Nations and with life in countries aboard. Furthermore, she has presented the library's children's room with a large U.N. banner and a stand that holds the flag of every member nation.

Irwin said her awareness of the critical need for understanding between nations was spawned in the early 1940s when she appointed by Mayor Amos Kauffman to administer Lakewood's Price and Rationing Board during World War II.

"It was while I was working long hours with scores of volunteers to distribute equitably the ration stamps required for buying such war-scarce commodities as sugar, meat, canned foods, coffee, butter, margarine, shoes, cars, gasoline and tires," Irwin remembered.

"What I learned at that time about the disastrous effects of war on families, even though battles were not being fought in their own neighborhoods, jolted me. I then and there promised myself I would work for peace the rest of my life."

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post February 15, 1996. Reprinted with permission.

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