Our Founder, Louise Whitbeck Fraser
Louise Whitbeck Fraser was a pioneer in special education who received national acclaim for her innovative teaching methods. Believing that all children should have the opportunity to develop to their full potentials, Mrs. Fraser devoted herself to improving the lives of as many children as she could. While experiencing personal tragedies in her own life, Mrs. Fraser provided help and hope to many families who otherwise might have had none.
Louise Whitbeck was born in 1894 in Grand Forks, N.D. Having lost both of her parents to illness by the time she was 3 years old, Louise was raised by a loving aunt in Rochester, N.Y. At the age of 16, Louise moved back to Grand Forks where she earned a teaching certificate. She began teaching and was quickly noted to have a special gift. She was often assigned to work with the students who needed the most help.
In June 1917, Louise married Wesley Fraser. Their first daughter, Mary Louise, was born in 1918, and their second daughter, Jean, in 1920. At the age of 6 weeks, Jean contracted spinal meningitis and was later diagnosed with mental retardation as a result of the illness. A few years later, the Frasers had a son named Bobby. A heartbreaking accident occurred when 3-year-old Bobby fell out of the family car and was killed. The Fraser’s second son, Wesley, Jr., was born in 1926.
In 1928, Wesley Fraser, Sr., a prohibition agent, promised his wife that he would accept only one more undercover assignment before taking a new job. Tragically, Mr. Fraser was shot to death during his final investigation.
Despite these tragedies, Louise persevered and in 1931 moved her three children to the Twin Cities. She struggled to raise her children, especially 11-year-old Jean, whose behavior was difficult. Louise took Jean to the University of Minnesota where it was learned that she had profound hearing impairment. Jean's challenging behavior was due to her inability to hear, not because of mental retardation.
Louise decided to teach Jean at home while waiting for an opening in a program for deaf children. Since Jean was able to hear high and low tones, Mrs. Fraser found music to be a teaching tool that would hold her attention. Jean responded well to the music and learned concepts quickly. News of Mrs. Fraser’s success spread throughout the special needs community and other families pleaded with her to teach their children too.
In 1935, Mrs. Fraser opened a school in her home for children with disabilities. With the encouragement and support of many grateful parents, she pioneered special education in Minnesota and gained national acclaim for her innovative teaching methods and the remarkable achievements of her students. Music therapy became the cornerstone of her teaching program. She found that through music, children could gain skills for life, including: an increased attention span, physical coordination, verbalization skills, and more.
In 1976, Mrs. Fraser died at the age of 81 and a tremendous sense of loss was felt throughout the community. Hubert H. Humphrey, who spoke at her funeral, concluded with these words, “When Louise Whitbeck Fraser died, she left behind a legacy of hope, commitment, dedication and love — as well as an organization that remains a place of joyful celebration for children of all abilities.”