The article considers the activity of the most famous lady-philanthropist from the city of Ivanovo-Voznesensk Maria Alexandrovna Garelina. Being the wife of one of the richest manufacturers of the textile region, she had not only a desire, but also ample opportunities to spend considerable resources for realization of a number of social and cultural projects. Among them was the establishment of children’s shelter, maternity shelter, hospital for chronic patients (hospice). She was a trustee of elementary schools and a women’s gymnasium, being both the presiding officer of the society for poor pupils of this gymnasium and providing material support to capable but under-privileged girls from poor families. The philanthropic activity of M. A. Garelina in the Ivanovo-Voznesenskiy Charitable Society, where she was the presiding officer of the Board, has acquired especially impressive scale. In a large industrial city this organization opened and contained several children’s nurseries, cheap dining for local residents and other social institutions. She has managed to unite around herself other rich ladies-benefactors in the charitable society, thus the synergistic effect has been achieved, and philanthropic activity has become more widespread. In conclusion the author infers that public activity of M. A. Garelina had an exceptionally versatile character in comparison with the socio-cultural efforts of other philanthropists and patrons in Ivanovo-Voznesensk. At the same time, charity could not provide social assistance for all the needy in Ivanovo-Voznesensk.
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