Greetings of Prof. Dr. Irmhild Poulsen

Dear AWO in Fulda!

I have now been a member of the AWO Fulda for 43 years and owe a lot to the welfare association, especially my diverse experiences as a social worker in the three youth projects sponsored by the AWO Hessen-Nord from 1980 to 1992. My name at that time was Irmhild Müller-Wiegand. These experiences enabled me to later do a doctorate and to train young students in this exciting profession for 10 years as a professor of youth welfare. I remain loyal to the AWO, even though I have now lived in Denmark for over 20 years.

I like to think back to the beginning of my involvement in the AWO district association in 1976 as a young student, still under Maria Kluge, with whom I did an internship and from whom I was able to learn a lot with her calm, confident manner. Over the years, I have met other remarkable women here:

• I’m thinking above all of Aloysia Demel, who always treated me warmly and occasionally slipped me a 5-DM note from her own money (the Bafög was very slim),

• and to Franziska Paplon, who even in her old age went to the shops during the annual collection and asked for donations for the annual raffle; she also meticulously managed all donations in a large brown cupboard,

to Emmi Rebscher, who still wore nail polish and lipstick at the age of 90 and always helped tirelessly in the office for a few hours with her well-groomed appearance,

• as well as some other energetic women like Anni Erb and others.

Back then, there were cosy coffee rounds with pastries and stories about earlier times, where I always liked to prick up my ears. These women deserve honourable remembrance, they created a lot in those days through their dedicated and selfless commitment, moved a lot and laid the foundation for today’s district association.

I wish all the staff continued success!