Mason-Wright Foundation elects three trustees

Date: 1/19/2009

SPRINGFIELD Mason-Wright Foundation of Springfield, which has provided donor-supported assisted living for the elderly poor since 1892, has elected three new members to its Board of Trustees.

The new trustees are Ellen W. Freyman, Esq., Cheryl A. Stanley, Ed.D and Walter Woodgett.

Freyman of Longmeadow, is an attorney with Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin, PC of Springfield. She received her B.S. from Pennsylvania State University and J.D. from Western New England College.

Stanley is from Springfield and is a Professor of Education at Westfield State College. She received her M.A. from George Washington University and her Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts.

Woodgett is also from Springfield and is a corporate registered investment advisor with MassMutual Financial Group. Woodgett received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The foundation operates the Mason-Wright Retirement Community on Walnut Street in Springfield's Mason Square. It has a total of 118 assisted living, dementia care and independent living units.

Its history traces to 1892, when Primus Mason, a real estate entrepreneur, left a bequest of $25,000 to found a "home for aged men." Another spectacular gift was made in 1944 when Horace P. Wright, a cigar manufacturer, made provisions through his will for more than $500,000 to be directed to the foundation.

Mason was an African-American and Wright a Caucasian. Their gifts, along with the support of other donors, have enabled equal access for low-income elderly to quality care as they age, regardless of race or national origin.

The foundation's Web site is www.masonwrightfoundation.org.