Just hours after it was put in the ground, someone stole the plaque honoring the three Pollitzer sisters.

The unveiling ceremony that was set for this afternoon at 5 Pitt St. has been put off indefinitely.

Alan Tanenbaum, who lives at the sisters' former home, saw the marker when he returned home from dinner about 7 p.m. Tuesday but noticed it gone by 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Jennet Alterman of the Center for Women, which helped arrange the tribute, was shocked to learn it was gone. She reported the theft to police.

"I'm really upset that a group of people would feel they had a right steal something like that. It has no value to anyone except as a memorial to three fabulous women," she said.

The cast-aluminum marker was put in the ground Tuesday with a temporary footing. When workers came to pour cement Wednesday morning, they noticed it was gone.

The marker honored Anita Pollitzer, who worked to give women the right to vote; Mabel Pollitzer, who helped establish the city's first public library; and Carrie Pollitzer, who began Charleston's first school lunch program and helped women gain admission into the College of Charleston.

Tanenbaum said he knew of the sisters' ties to his Pitt Street home when he bought it, and he also hopes the marker is found.

"It's humbling to imagine all that talent living here under one roof," he said of the sisters. "They never stopped trying to make the world a better place. In doing so, they set an example for all to follow."

Alterman said if the marker is not returned, supporters will have to raise more than $1,500 to cast a replacement.

"My hope is that by publicizing its disappearance, the right thing will be done," she said. "A lot of people worked very hard to make this thing happen."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.