Ceremonies in Honor of Lady Churchill

Ceremonies honoring Lady Randolph (Jeanette "Jennie") Churchill (née Jerome), Winston Churchill's mother.

Lady Churchill was born in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn in 1854 and is honored by a plaque at her childhood home.
Speakers include James A. Kelly, official historian of Brooklyn, Commissioner Robert Moses, Council General of the British Empire, [A. J.] Hobson, Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore, and her granddaughter Sarah Churchill.

Program begins with the National Anthems of the US and UK.
James A. Kelly, official historian of Brooklyn recounts the history of the Jerome family in Brooklyn. He describes finding the records in 1943.
He describes Leonard Jerome's successes in Brooklyn, including founding the Sheepshead Bay Race Track.

Kelly introduces A. Edward Saunders archdeacon of Brooklyn who offers a blessing on the occasion.

Kelly introduces Robert Moses. Moses recounts Winston Churchill's unique personality traits. He discusses the state of the world at Jennie's birth, as well as her unassuming home. He talks about Churchill's accomplishments. He quotes at length from Winston Churchill's speech at Dunkirk. He honors Lady Churchill.

Kelly introduces Council General of the British Empire, [A. J.] Hobson. Hobson discusses Lady Churchill's independent claims for posterity. Her marriage and early widowhood, and her attention to advancing her son's career. She was a talented hostess, and was interest in philanthropy and literature.
Hobson discusses the transatlantic aspect of the day. He talks about the affinities between the US and Great Britain.
The event had taken place shortly after Winston Churchill's recent visit.

Kelly introduces the Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore.
He describes Lady Randolph's home as a forgotten historic birthplace. He talks about Brooklynites entering the war effort. He describes Churchill's memorable speeches, quoting them at length. He describes her editorship of a newspaper and magazine, as well as other qualities and deeds. He quotes in full a poem called "Like Mother, Like Son" by Margaret Johnston Grafflin.

Kelly introduces Sarah Churchill, her granddaughter.
Churchill thanks the crowd on behalf of her father in her short speech.

Churchill and Cashmore unveil the plaque upon the her birth home. The program ends with music.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150400
Municipal archives id: LT1005