The Washington times., 1914-10-21
SUBSTITUTES HOME
FOR RENTED ROOM
Woman's Christian Association
Undertakes Problem of So
ciaI Service.

Among the oldest institutions in wash
ington to recognize the value Of phil
enthropic and social service work, Is
the Womans Christian Association
Half a century ago, group or Wom-
en- undertook to find an answer to the
problem of the homeless woman; not
necessarily the woman beset by penury,
but the one who, having known the
atmosphere Of a home, finds herself
sentenced to years of life in a rented
room. The solution offered by the As
SOciation stands today on Thirteenth
street northwest between r and S
ctreets. 1t is a large plain brick dwell
ling. surrounded by deep porches and
wide lawns. Its occupants are for the
most part young women who have felt
the need of surroundings of a more
homelike nature than can be found in
the average boarding house.
The Woman's Christian Association
work began Just after the close of the
civil war, at a time when but few Or
CARNATIONS had invaded that field. 1t
was established more for the elderly
homeless woman, too, and at that time
six unfortunate women were admitted
es life members. These life member
ships still exist.
List of Patrons
Upon the list Of patFons for the home,
during the earlier years of its existence,
are found the names Of General and
Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant; Admiral and
Mrs. Rodgers; Mrs. James G. Blaine
and her sister Miss Abigail Dodge; the
wife Of General Howard; Mrs. Alexander
Shepherd, who was one of the vice pres
.dents; Mrs. Bishop Newman, Mrs.
Matthey Emery, General Whitney and
his wife, and the wives of many of the
justices Of the United States Supreme
Court.
Upon the confidence which these
early workers in the field OF social
service for women established for the
home, the institution has builded until
today II ranks with the foremost in
situations of its kind in the city. The
home Is modern in every respect, and
the policy adopted by the women who
now are engaged in directing il lays
especial emphasis upon the creation Of
homelike surroundings and influences
for the women who live there, as well
as q certain social atmosphere for
those deprived of such environments.
Some years after the establishment
of the home, its directors say, the
work for the betterment of women in
this field in Washington seemed to
divide itself naturally between the
the Young Woman's Association, re-
sulting in the formation of two nation
al organizations.
United On Charter.
But later. in 1906, these two We're
again united In a body known as The
Young Woman's Christian Association
Of the United States Of America" OF
which the Woman's Christian Asso-
citation of Washington is a charter
member.
The Woman's Christian Association,
besides maintaining the Thirteenth
street home is cooperating with the
Young Womans Christian Association
of the city in carrying on the work
of the Travellers Aid Association at
the Union Station. Two women are
employed by the Travellers Aid, alter
mating day and night the duties OF
caring for unprotected girls and caring
for the sick and the old who may come
into the station
The present officers OF the association
are: Honorary president. Mrs. David
J. Brewer; president, Mrs. William J.
Flather; vice president Mrs. S. F.
French, Mrs. Benjamin c. Catlin, Mrs
Frank T. Thurston. Mrs. Nathaniel
Freeman and Mrs. James Robin. Mrs
Walter L. Gift is the corresponding
secretary; Mrs. Robert Lyons record
ing secretary: and Mrs. Jacob L. Nuber,
treasurer.