| Birth Name: | Marcia Brooks O'Rielly |
| Birth Place: | Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Death Place: | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Father: | Henry O'Reilly |
Marcia Brooks O'Rielly (stage name, Bertha Welby; 1844 – February 22, 1917) was an American actress. She was also the founder of the Rainy Day Club in New York City,[1] [2] which led to shortened women's skirts, the rainy daisy, at the turn of the 20th century.
Marcia Brooks O'Rielly was born in Albany, New York, 1844. She was the daughter of Henry O'Reilly, who was, at his death, the oldest living journalist in the U.S. He accumulated a large fortune, but lost it by the miscarrying of philanthropic and speculative plans. Her siblings were Mary (b. 1833), Ella (b. 1834), Emma (b. 1836), Henry (b. 1839), John (b. 1841), and Laura (b. 1846).
Bertha began acting from necessity and developed talents that were not imagined of in her youth. Being rendered penniless by her father's misfortunes, she took the name of "Bertha Welby", and began at the bottom of the theatrical ladder. She had no money and no influence, yet she achieved success. She was the leading member of John T. Raymond's company, and afterward filled a similar position with Laurence Barrett. For five years, she "starred" in legitimate drama, As You Like It, The Hunchback, Jane Shore, School for Scandal, and Camille. Her last appearance was at the Madison Square Theatre, New York, circa 1888.
Her retirement from the stage was due to a promise that she made her father on his deathbed. Afterward, she taught dramatic art.
Welby was a good artist, having skill enough to paint three large panel pictures over a side altar in one of New York's churches. Mary at the Foot of the Cross and Resurrection Morning are the best of her works. On November 5, 1896, in New York City, she founded the Rainy Day Club.[3] Earlier that year, she became the organization's secretary and explained the reasons for the club's existence:—[4]
On April 24, 1867, in Manhattan, she married Alexander Kelsey Cutler (1839–1881).
Welby attended St. Francis Xavier's Church, New York.
Bertha Welby died in New York City, February 22, 1917.[5]