I recently completed 18 months of service as the treasurer for the Woman's Industrial Exchange. The organization includes a shop, the historical building and three retail spaces, one of which is the restaurant The Sun has reviewed ("An institution returns to glory," Feb. 5). I really appreciated the review and all the press that The Sun has given to the revival of the restaurant.
The road to getting here has not been easy, as the Exchange has fought to get through the recession like many other businesses. Irene Smith is energetic and talented and is off and running to a successful start. The Exchange is fortunate to have a partner in her. However, I would like to acknowledge the unsung hero in this who has kept the Exchange moving forward through a difficult patch — and that is Jenny Hope who has just left her post as the organization's president. She devoted countless hours for close to two years to maintain the shop, continue the legacy of the historical institution and work to bring back a restaurant to the space.
She did all of this without any pay and with only one staff person who manages the shop. Without her, the restaurant would no doubt be empty, but the rest of the institution might be lost as well. We are all better off that it is all here and on its way to thriving. Her leadership provided that opportunity. She deserves a thank you.
Monica Henderson, Baltimore