Julia Greeley
On the streets of Denver in the late 1800s, a woman in tattered clothes, pulling a wagon laden with food, fuel and clothing, was a model of philanthropy.
Her name was Julia Greeley. She was a former slave without much money – but she was utterly resourceful and selfless. She donated her modest cook’s wages to others and found necessities for people in need. To shield some from embarrassment, she visited them at night.
Over 30 years quietly helping others, she became known as Denver's "Angel of Charity." When Julia died in 1918, it took five hours for the mass of mourners to file past her coffin. Her obituary called her a saint. And in fact, the Catholic Church might someday declare her one; in 2016, the long process began for canonizing Julia Greeley.
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Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. See more postcards.
