has dedicated her life to raising and caring for a generation of Bermudian youth.

Olga Brangman, who ran the Brangman Home from 1952 to 1981 when it operated at Glebe Road and at Penhurst Park, Devonshire, has spent most of her life reaching out to those who, for some reason or another, could not be raised with their own families.

So, on Thursday, February 26 at St. Paul's Centennial Hall, some of the people who have been in her care and others who were instrumental in helping with the upkeep of the facility will pay tribute to Miss Brangman and her sisters Mona and Mary.

Event coordinator Juanita LeShore said the idea for the evening came out of her need to show Bermuda what "a beautiful woman she was.'' "I grew up in the Brangman home and while in school I thought about what I can give back to this lady.

"One of the things I realise is that I wanted Bermuda to see what kind of woman she was. I wanted to share with Bermuda to help her because her health is declining and I needed to show my appreciation for everything she has done for me and for others,'' Miss LeShore said.

She added that there will be many different people participating, most of whom Miss Brangman has cared for and the others are those who have helped her with her work.

"The Rev. Samuel Hayward, who was actually the bread delivery man during the times while Miss Brangman was the house mother of Penhurst, will honour her, along with Gloria McPhee, who pushed for a bigger home and secured Penhurst and was the first minister of Family Services.

"Speaker of the House Earnest DeCouto, who assisted in soliciting funds for the home, and Sister Judith Rolo, who was a teacher at Mount Saint Agnes. She participated a lot when the house was at Glebe Road offering tutorial lessons and helping the children with writing, reading and spelling.

"She also had the birth dates of children and would give birthday parties for them.'' Miss LeShore also said regular citizens such as Leroy Simmons will also say a few words: "He would come over and take us swimming and play games.'' Other speakers include Hugh Wagner, who "volunteered his services while we were at Penhurst helping with homework and playing games with us in the yard while after working at a local airline.'' She added that recognition will also be given to the people in the community who helped.

"We are looking to have testimonials from two children Miss Brangman has raised and to highlight some of our accomplishments so that some of the stigmas attached to being fostered/adopted can be removed.'' Also during the evening Miss Brangman's sisters, Mona and Mary Brangman, will be praised for their help.

"Olga was the house mother at Glebe Road and Penhurst however, Mona and Mary lived and assisted at the Glebe Road Brangman home.

"Their incomes made from outside jobs were used to help support the children in the early years while Olga worked at a store -- she later quit and had the full responsibility of raising the children.'' Miss LeShore also said: "The general public probably don't know how she was able to do what she did and the younger generation probably don't even know who she is. Miss Brangman has been honoured by the Queen on two occasions, being presented with an MBE then an OBE.

"It would be a shame to wait until she passes before we honour and recognise her.

"She has moved me, and a lot of other children. Some of us still get together every Boxing Day at the original Brangman Home for Christmas dinner with Miss Brangman and her sisters.'' Miss LeShore also said organisers would like to start an Olga Brangman fund for anyone who wants to study a degree that is child related. A portion of the funds collected will also go towards helping her with her living and medical expenses.

Donations to the fund can be made at the Bank of Bermuda, Front Street branch.

The deadline for pledges is February 20.

SISTER ACT -- Miss Olga Brangman (centre) of the Brangman Home will be honoured on February 26, along with her sisters Mary (r) and Mona (l), who gave much of their time and money to operating the home, first on Glebe Road and later at Penhurst Park. Event coordinator Juanita LeShore, a former charge of the sisters, said the evening will be a way for the community to pay homage to the Brangman legacy.