Helen Hayes was one of the most celebrated actresses in American history and was widely known as the "First Lady of the American Theatre." Active on stage and screen from 1905 to 1987, she became the first person to achieve what is now known as the Triple Crown of Acting and was the second woman to earn an EGOT, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Academy Award, and Tony Award. Her extraordinary contributions to American culture were recognized with both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. Her legacy continues through the annual Helen Hayes Awards, which honor excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C., region.

Beyond her acting career, Hayes was deeply involved in philanthropy and civic life. A lifelong Catholic and active Republican, she supported numerous charitable organizations, including the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Riverside Shakespeare Company. She also devoted significant time to the Actors Fund of America, serving as one of its vice presidents. The Actors Fund operated a network of homes and care facilities for entertainment professionals in several locations across the United States, providing housing, health care, and support services for actors and other members of the performing arts community. Hayes was a prominent advocate for the organization and helped raise awareness of its mission throughout her career.

Hayes also maintained a close relationship with the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, one of the organization's most well-known facilities. She later became a resident there, and her connection to the home was highlighted by a widely publicized celebration of her 80th birthday in October 1980. The event drew fellow stage and screen legends, including Lillian Gish, Ethel Merman, Maureen Stapleton, Colleen Dewhurst, and Mildred Natwick. During the celebration, Actors Fund officials announced plans for a permanent rose garden featuring "Helen Hayes Roses," ensuring that her presence at the home would be remembered for years to come. The gathering reflected the affection and admiration she inspired throughout the theatrical community and underscored her special place in the history of the Actors Fund Home.

In her personal life, Hayes married Charles MacArthur in 1928. The couple had two children: Mary MacArthur, who tragically died from polio in 1949, and James MacArthur, who went on to become a successful actor in his own right. Hayes was also the grandmother of Charles P. MacArthur, Mary McClure, Juliette Rappaport, and James D. MacArthur.

Actress Helen Hayes Celebrated Her 80th Birthday Sunday by Falling in Love Again,” United Press International, October 12, 1980.