St. Louis de Marillac was a foundress and patroness of social workers. She was born in France and later married Anthony Le Gras who unfortunately died in 1625. As a widow, she then met St. Vincent de Paul and assumed the task of directing the Ladies of Charity. In 1633, she opened her home to train workers for the poor, founding the Sisters of Charity of St. Paul, which received formal approval in 1655. Louise traveled throughout France to establish orphanages, hospitals, and other services for the poor, founding forty houses before she died on March 15.