History of The Evanston Woman's Board
The Evanston Woman’s Board of Northwestern University Settlement Association first formed in 1909 in response to an overwhelming need at the Settlement – a whopping $3,000 debt! The result was “An Historical Pageant of Illinois”, depicting events from the days of the Potawatomi Indians through the election of Abraham Lincoln. The pageant was a success; the debt was erased. Members of the Northwestern Settlement Board of Directors took note, and asked pageant organizers to found the Settlement’s very first woman’s board. Thankfully, it’s been going strong ever since!
Looking back over the past 100 years, there is no doubt that the Evanston Board has played an incredibly important role in the Settlement’s ongoing success. From the beginning, Evanston Board members volunteered personal time, working directly with children and families, in addition to raising much needed revenue. Today, Evanston Board members provide more one-on-one, hands-on support than any other Settlement auxiliary board.
In 1911, the Dollar Letter was established as a way of raising money for Settlement programs. Numerous successful campaigns enabled the Evanston Board to set up an endowment which is used to support special capital projects, while today’s Dollar Letter proceeds support daily operations of the organization.
In 1912, one of the Settlement’s most popular – and fondly remembered – programs was established by the Evanston Board: a rooftop playground. Perched atop a gymnasium that was torn down in 1998, the playground allowed children to enjoy sun and sky while keeping them safe from the, then, dirty streets and later, in the 60s, 70s and 80s, dangerous streets. To this day, visitors talk about the fun they had swinging, playing in the sandbox, and gardening on the rooftop.
In later years, the Evanston Woman’s Board established a garden in front of the historic settlement house, a project they still manage today. In 1991, it was the Evanston Board that gave the Settlement $500,000 to purchase Walsh Hall, a former union and dance hall located next door on Noble Street. Named in honor of the board, Evanston Hall today houses the national award-winning Adventure Stage Chicago; public space used for community events as well as daily activities; the CCT Art Gallery; program and business office space; and charter school classrooms. In 2004, the Evanston Board generously put a new roof on the historic settlement house.
The Evanston Woman’s Board is an integral part of Northwestern Settlement’s history. Please support their ongoing efforts by joining in one or more events during this wonderful year of celebration.
For a complete history of the Evanston Woman’s Board of Northwestern University Settlement Association, click here. |
