Persistent and committed. These two words describe Salon Circle of Memphis and the group’s former president Arlene Gritz.

Gritz was preparing for her term as Salon Circle president in 1955 when Danny Thomas announced plans to build St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Seeking a new philanthropic project for the group, Gritz tried to reach members of the hospital committee – with no success. But one day, while working at her father’s clothing store in Memphis, she saw Thomas and his entourage park outside a bank across the street and go inside.

“I thought, ‘I will just sit down and write him a note and put it under his windshield wiper,’” recalled Gritz. Her note offered the group’s support of a hospital program. “Two days later we got a call from the committee, and that was the beginning.”

Salon Circle contributed $5,000 to establish the hospital’s first medical research library and has donated $1,000 to $2,000 to the library every year since then – giving at least $70,000 over the years.

Members of Salon Circle recently gathered for the unveiling of a plaque, which recognized the group’s dedicated efforts, in the new medical research library inside the Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration at St. Jude.

“We are very proud of the fact that we did start the library,” said Millie Malkin, Salon Circle’s current president. A newspaper photo from the original library opening shows Malkin’s mother, Frances Kaufman, and Gritz’ sister, Sheila Hollander, shelving books. Resources in the library have expanded from 80 journal subscriptions in the hospital’s first year of operation to 4,000 electronic journal subscriptions today.

Established in 1891 by members of the Memphis Jewish community, Salon Circle is the oldest women’s organization in Memphis.

“The moral here is if you continue to give a small amount, it does add up,” said Jan Horn, Salon Circle first vice president.