On June 13, 1861, when President Lincoln signed the order establishing the U.S. Sanitary Commission, little did he know how much this organization would do to change the Union's response to the war effort. Although the President likened the need for the Sanitary Commission to the "fifth wheel of the coach," this government supported, yet entirely privately funded, organization would make lasting changes in women's benevolent efforts and vastly improve the Army Medical Department's supplies and efficiency.

Our speakers this month are three living historians who portray members of the U.S. Sanitary Commission at Fort Tejon and other local Civil War reenactments.

The USSC's Alta California Branch is the brainchild of founder Diane Swanson. She organized the group six years ago, and has led it through its groundbreaking, historically recreated projects, including four Sanitary Fairs, reprinting of The Soldier's Friend, and distribution of historically correct "comfort bags" to the Union troops at Fort Tejon. Diane also founded a theatre group in Orange County which performed Shakespeare for Orange and L.A. County schools. She has been reenacting for nine years, and is currently the Executive Assistant to the Information Technology Department at In-N-Out Burger's corporate headquarters in Irvine.

This is Sherri Ortman's fourth season reenacting as a member of the USSC group, having gotten hooked on living history when she attended her first Civil War reenactment while living in Chicago. She has a degree from Northwestern University in Philosophy of Communication from the School of Speech, and is an English Language Learner Specialist for Pearson Longman Publishing. Sherri has been in the academic publishing field for 20 years, and has done history workshops and consulting for schools. She also serves as a Docent for the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington.

Our third presenter is long-time Round Table member Janet Whaley. She has been reenacting for six years, the last five with the USSC group. Janet came to her interest in the Civil War through researching her ancestor's service in the 11th Indiana Zouaves. Janet also serves as a volunteer with the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum. She is the V.P. of Human Resources for an investment firm in Pasadena.

Our speakers will appear in period attire to give an overview of the history of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, and the trailblazing efforts of the women who founded it, and left their homes and families to help create one of the war's most successful civilian-run relief efforts.

Please join us as we learn how the vision of these far-sighted women helped the Union win the war.

Janet Whaley
Program Chair

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