Women Creating Change (formerly Women's City Club) is a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

founded in 1915 by suffragettes in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

. WCC is still active in the New York community.

History

WCC was started in 1915 and in September of that year, the club had more than 1,500 members. The founders were suffragettes and were interested in social issues, especially those relating to women and children. The

woman's club movement The woman's club movement was a social movement that took place throughout the United States that established the idea that women had a moral duty and responsibility to transform public policy. While women's organizations had always been a part ...

. In 1918, the organization moved to an address on

Park Avenue Park Avenue is a wide New York City boulevard which carries north and southbound traffic in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. For most of the road's length in Manhattan, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Av ...

. Mary Garrett Hay was nominated for president of WCC in 1918 and helped organize it to become more civically effective. In 1924,

Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt () (October 11, 1884November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four ...

joined WCC and was elected to its board of directors. Members wasted no time in tackling complex problems. WCC was organized into special committees which included those on education, welfare, children, the justice system and health issues. During

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, WCC created a special war committee where they raised money for the war effort. WCC raised $5,000 for war aid. WCC successfully lobbied

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

to admit women to its law school in 1917. In the 1930s, members campaigned for a citywide Department of Sanitation. In 1935, they were involved with charter revision of the county government. WCC was also involved in discussing worker's issues, in the late 1930s, such as minimum wage and eight-hour days for domestic workers. WCC educated the public in order to allow women to serve on

juries A jury is a sworn body of people (jurors) convened to hear evidence and render an impartial verdict (a finding of fact on a question) officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Juries developed in England dur ...

in the mid-1940s. Timeline 1915–1919 WCC is founded in 1915. On August 3, '' The New York Tribune'' reported that a group of seven "public spirited women formed the initiatory committee, which has invited one hundred representative New York women to compose the organizing committee" of WCC. That same year, WCC incorporates, forms an Organization Committee of 100, and holds its first official meeting on January 31, 1916. * Members distribute sandwiches to 10,000 striking garment workers * WCC leads efforts to support women's admission to

Columbia Law School Columbia Law School (Columbia Law or CLS) is the law school of Columbia University, a private Ivy League university in New York City. Columbia Law is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious law schools in the world and has always ranked i ...

* WCC organizes, finances and operates a War Service Committee, Le Bien-Être du Blessé (Welfare of the Wounded), to deliver food to thousands of wounded soldiers in France * WCC focuses on suffrage, and

Carrie Chapman Catt Carrie Chapman Catt (; January 9, 1859 Fowler, p. 3 – March 9, 1947) was an American women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave U.S. women the right to vote in 1920. Catt ...

, WCC member and President of the

National American Woman Suffrage Association The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was an organization formed on February 18, 1890, to advocate in favor of women's suffrage in the United States. It was created by the merger of two existing organizations, the National ...

, plays an instrumental role in the passage of the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the New York State Constitution, granting women the right to vote in the State * WCC opens the nation's first maternity center less than a year after Margaret Sanger addresses the organization... the birthing center becomes a model in public health circles and grows to become the Maternity Center Association * WCC charter member Frances Perkins (a future U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945) outlines a plan for WCC's work in civic education * In 1918, WCC publishes "''Our Hopes Justified''", highlighting the results of the maternity clinic's pre-natal work... and exposes the use of unqualified "nurses" during an influenza epidemic * In 1919, WCC publishes ''"School Services for Exceptional or Handicapped Children"'' and ''"That ‘Feminized Schools' Bugaboo",'' which criticizes the "lack of scientific education for girls… overcrowded classes, and too few women on local school boards." 1920s * WCC issues reports on the re-organization of New York State government and on the poor working conditions and low wages of tenement manufacturing * WCC issues a guide to all candidates in the City, State, and Federal elections... and WCC members vote in the first Presidential election since the passage of the 19th Amendment * WCC opposes motion picture censorship, and succeeds in abolishing sex discrimination in State civil service * In 1922, WCC petitions in support of a constitutional amendment to give Congress the power to limit and prohibit labor of children under 16 years old * In 1923,

joins WCC and later chairs its "City Planning" unit... and later that year Margaret Woodrow Wilson joins WCC * In 1924, WCC drafts legislation and successfully campaigns for passage of the first New York State child labor laws, and launches a campaign for a 48-hour work week for women as "a shorter day means better motherhood and stronger women" * Eleanor Roosevelt becomes WCC's first vice president * In 1927, WCC's report ''"The School Lunch Program"'' results in the replacement of concessionaires by the Department of Homemaking * In 1929, a WCC study, "''Child and Youthful Marriages in New York County",'' fuels its advocacy campaign to prohibit child marriage 1930s * In 1931, WCC members lobby the State Legislature to update the charter for New York City * Members support raising the age that children can leave school to 15 years old * In 1932, WCC publishes "''Comfort Stations in New York City: Today and Tomorrow''", recommending improvements in bathroom facilities * In 1933, WCC's advocacy leads to the establishment of the Court of Domestic Relations to handle cases of children up to 16 years old * WCC employs a template similar to the Frances Perkins-inspired civic education program for other programs such as "Know Your Courts" and "Know Your Schools" * In 1935, WCC urges the

Works Progress Administration The Works Progress Administration (WPA; renamed in 1939 as the Work Projects Administration) was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers (mostly men who were not formally educated) to carry out public works projects, i ...

to give women the same consideration as men in appointment of work * WCC holds a public program, "''Difficulties of Managing Low-Rent Housing Projects''", which called for more women in actual management of projects * WCC publishes "''Housing for the Family''", the first comprehensive report on the City's need for better public housing * In 1937, WCC publishes "''Women on Jury Duty''", advocating for equal participation of sexes * In 1938, WCC publishes "''Achieving Better Schools''" 1940s * WCC publishes ''"Should Prostitution Receive Legal or Social Treatment?"'' * Creates a "''Handbook on Civil Liberties"'' compiling relevant statutes, regulations, and court decisions * In 1941, WCC addresses extending State aid for kindergartens to give women time for defense activities and aid for schools to teach principles of democracy * In 1942, WCC conducts a study of the custodial system in schools, emphasizing the use of schools as community centers * In 1944, WCC supports a bill mandating equal pay for equal work, criticizes an increase in employment of minors in industry, and protests a bill to abolish the New York State Department of Labor's Women's Division and Division of Minimum Wage * In 1946, WCC publishes "''New York City's 5-Cent Fare''" focused on its goals for soundly planned and adequately financed systems of mass transit * In 1947, WCC publishes ''"A Survey of Counseling and Guidance Services in Academic High Schools"'' and calls for an increase in counseling/guidance services and a class size of 25 * In 1948, WCC endorses a bill to outlaw discrimination in educational institutions on the basis of color, creed, and race * WCC issues "''Better Housing for the Family''", exposing how public housing developments have inadequate facilities and are too far from low-cost shopping, clinics and public transit * In 1949, WCC recommends a State constitutional amendment to permit the City to borrow $500 million for construction of a

Second Avenue subway The Second Avenue Subway (internally referred to as the IND Second Avenue Line by the MTA and abbreviated to SAS) is a New York City Subway line that runs under Second Avenue on the East Side of Manhattan. The first phase of this new line, ...

1950s * WCC studies 108 play streets in Manhattan about their cleanliness * WCC urges City hospitals to give special treatment to juvenile drug addicts * WCC protests allegations by Joseph McCarthy's Senate subcommittee against a WCC board member * WCC holds a public program on businesses considering women "old" at age 35 * In 1952, WCC endorses the principles of new zoning plan to diminish congestion in Manhattan and to "end need for children to seek play space in NYC's dangerous streets" * In March 1954, WCC issues "''Tenant Relocation at West Park''", a study of living conditions and relocation tactics used in Manhattantown. * In 1954, WCC issues "''Institutions for Delinquent Youth''", a study of 23 correctional institutions for 16- to 21-year-olds, and recommends the establishment of a youth center for delinquents awaiting trial * In 1955, WCC publishes "''Know Your Courts''", which outlines the functions of the various types of courts and recommends reforms (many of which are incorporated into the

Tweed Tweed is a rough, woollen fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture, resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is usually woven with a plain weave, twill or herringbone structure. Colour effects in the yarn may be obtained ...

Commission report the next year) * WCC testifies before the New York City Council in support of a City multiple dwelling code "to force the city to adopt a housing program that would provide for both low- and middle-income families" * In 1958, WCC publishes "''Before It's Too Late''", focusing on the New York City Board of Education's methods for aiding "troubled children and children in trouble", which leads to the creation of the Division of Child Welfare * WCC urges the Hospital Commissioner to make contraceptive advice available to patients 1960s * WCC calls for separate work camps for juvenile delinquents 16 to 21 years old and 21 to 25 years old * In 1961, WCC issues proposals for a stronger Mayor and City Council to be included in the City Charter, and works with other civic groups to abolish the

Board of Estimate A board of estimate is a governing body, particularly in the United States. Typically, the board's membership will consist of a combination of elected officials from the executive branch (e.g., the mayor or county executive) and the legislative br ...

* In 1963, WCC sets up an Ad Hoc Committee on Integration in New York City amid the country's civil rights movement * WCC participates in a March for Freedom and Jobs in Washington, D.C. * In 1964, WCC supports a Brooklyn Bridge urban renewal plan, and criticizes the quantity of low-income housing and the City's plan to expand subway system * In 1966, WCC issues ''"How Shall We Raise the Money? Proposals for Financing City Government"''and ''"Performance and Promise: New York City's Local School Boards Revisited''" * In 1967, WCC advocates for merging City colleges into the City University of New York and recommends the decentralization of school boards * WCC holds program ''"Proposals for a New Constitution: Recommendations to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1967''" * In 1969, WCC supports a bill for an all-out repeal of the State's Abortion Law 1970s * WCC's Housing Committee urges the City Planning Commission to resist requests from developers and property owners to change zoning to allow for more and larger buildings in already crowded areas of the City * In 1971, WCC declares the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...

is "detrimental to the welfare of our city" and that "the tensions and conflicts created by the war, the inflation aggravated by the war, and the billions of dollars absorbed by the war are preventing this city…from the vast and numerous problems which beset t * WCC criticizes the New York State legislature for drawing district lines without input from voters * In 1973, WCC establishes a Status of Women Committee that meets monthly to examine issues of discrimination against women * WCC issues ''"Goals for the City: Standards for New York – Today and Tomorrow"…'' and hosts a conference on New York City's fiscal crisis * In 1975, Mayor Abe Beame establishes a 30-member Commission on the Status of Women following WCC's advocacy efforts and appoints WCC President Edythe First as its first Chairperson * WCC urges the immediate completion of Second Avenue subway * WCC publishes ''"The Privileged Many: A Study of the City University's Open Admissions Policy, 1970-1975''" * In 1977, WCC issues ''"A Good Start – A Good School: Early Reading Experiences in New York City Public Schools"'' and ''"With Love and Affection: A Study of Building Abandonment"'' * In 1978, WCC organizes a Coalition for Improved Nursing Home Care * In 1979, WCC addresses truancy with the release ''"It's 10 a.m. – Do You Know Where Your Children Are?"'' * WCC's Executive Committee votes to allow "male persons be admitted to membership in the Women's City Club if they apply and are sponsored by a member of the Club" and then admits several male members 1980s * WCC issues ''"Deadlines in New York City Budget Process"'' and ''"The Critical Years: Junior High School Title I Reading: Programs in Two NYC Public Schools''" * In 1982, nearly 50 WCC members participate in the largest rally for nuclear disarmament yet held in the United States * In 1983, WCC publishes ''"Giving Dropouts a Second Chance: A Survey of 6 Outreach Centers Established by the New York City Board of Education"'' * In 1985, WCC issues "''The Key to Literacy: Unlocking Library Doors",'' which examines libraries in the City's public elementary schools * In 1988, WCC forms the Coalition for Homeless Women, which begins hosting an annual Conference on Homeless Women * WCC organizes and sponsors the Martha Fraenkel Symposium on the impact of AIDS on children and families 1990s * WCC publishes ''"AIDS: Its Impact on Children'' and their Families" and issues a "''Directory of Housing Resources for Homeless Women",'' the city's first definitive service guide and list of shelters * In 1992, WCC publishes ''"Lessons to Be Learned: AIDS Education in New York City High Schools and Community-Based Organizations, 1989-91''", which criticizes the lack of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS education program in New York City's public high schools * WCC co-hosts a conference on sexual harassment at Hunter College with Professor

Anita Hill Anita Faye Hill (born July 30, 1956) is an American lawyer, educator and author. She is a professor of social policy, law, and women's studies at Brandeis University and a faculty member of the university's Heller School for Social Policy and ...

as the keynote speaker * WCC publishes ''"Beyond Small Facilities and Good Intentions: Improving NYC's Women Shelter System"'' and a second edition of ''"Directory of Housing Resources for Homeless Women"'' and hosts a program, "Improving the NYC Women's Shelter System" * In 1995, WCC releases a 28-minute video, "''Meeting the Challenge: Promoting HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Young People and Adolescents''", featuring public health experts and young actors, and distributes it the public high schools... and publishes "''An Emergency That Won't Disappear''," a follow-up study of City shelters for homeless single women * In 1996, WCC hosts a conference, ''"New York City in the 21st Century: New Solutions, New Partnerships"'' * In 1997, WCC issues a publication and hosts a conference, ''"Bangladesh? No, the Bronx! The Challenge of Microenterprise: a New York City Perspective"'' * In 1988, WCC advocates for School Board elections by registered voters and parents of children attending schools regardless of citizenship, and opposes a

New York City Charter The New York City Charter is the municipal charter of New York City. As of January 2018, it includes a non-numbered introductory chapter, plus chapters identified by a number (1 through 75) or a number plus a letter suffix.The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' to protest police brutality and call for improved relations between the police and the communities they serve * WCC publishes ''"Homeless Women, New York's Permanent Emergency: Report on NYC's Shelters for Single, Homeless Women"'' 2000s * WCC begins its 85th anniversary year with a summit featuring ''"Visions for the Future of New York City"'' * WCC holds an "''Immigrants in New York City"'' conference at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

and ''"Urban Summit: Leadership for a Civic Agenda"'' * WCC supports discretionary work release for women convicted of striking back at their abusers and supports allowing victims of sexual assault, while on the job, to sue in court if their employer's negligence led to the assault * WCC testifies in support of renewing rent regulation laws, and in support of increased permanent housing options for the homeless * In 2002, WCC supports a moratorium on executions in New York State and the Women's Health and Wellness Act, which would provide comprehensive health care to women in New York State * In 2004, WCC participates in the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C. * In 2005, WCC hosts a conference, "Revitalizing Citizen Participation for the 21st Century" * WCC publishes an updated version of "''Snapshot of NYC Charter Schools"'' * In 2006, WCC supports a measure preventing health insurance companies from limiting behavioral health coverage for certain mental illnesses; improved health care access; and an exception to the five-year statute of limitations in rape cases * WCC urges the United States to support the protection of rights of women and girls in

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

* In 2007, WCC urges Congress to expand Earned Income Tax Credit to working poor families and extend

Child Tax Credit A child tax credit (CTC) is a tax credit for parents with dependent children given by various countries. The credit is often linked to the number of dependent children a taxpayer has and sometimes the taxpayer's income level. For example, in t ...

to childless workers, and to eliminate rule requiring families seeking subsidized child care to participate in child support enforcement efforts * In 2008, WCC urges Federal officials to rescind a directive that would drastically reduce the number of children eligible for State

Children's Health Insurance Program The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – formerly known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to ...

(SCHIP), and urges Congress to increase the welfare grant * In 2009, WCC urges the New York City Council to approve resolutions calling for passage of the New York Fair Pay Act and urges Congress to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act * WCC joins the One New York Coalition urging New York City and State to protect funding for safety net services and address the immediate need for more revenues * WCC urges Mayor Michael Bloomberg to reverse his decision refusing $155 million in federal monies that would enable New York City to extend food stamp benefits to able-bodied adults without dependents * WCC testifies on multiple election reforms 2010s * WCC releases a report analyzing Mayor Bloomberg's "Greener, Greater Buildings" plan, recommends improvements, and urges the City Council to pass the legislation after WCC-supported revisions were incorporated into the plan * WCC opposes drilling activity that endangers New York City's water supply and urges the City to make all take-out containers recyclable and to ban Styrofoam in food service * WCC testifies before the New York City Charter Revision Commission, recommending issues for study and before the

New York City Board of Elections The Board of Elections in the City of New York (NYCBOE) conducts New York elections within New York City. It is an administrative body of ten Commissioners, two from each borough upon recommendation by both political parties and then appointed by ...

on the proposed optical scan voting systems that would replace the City's lever voting machines * In 2011, WCC's Task Force on Physical Education focuses on the issue of improving physical fitness for students in New York City's public schools and campaigns to promote sex education in New York City * In 2012, WCC issues the first ''Guide to Services and Resources'', a directory of service organizations aimed at New Yorkers who face daily challenges to obtaining the quality of life they deserve * In 2013, WCC supports a measure to ban polystyrene foam as disposable food containers * In 2014, WCC examines how schools are providing sex education to students and writes to Congress * In 2015, WCC creates a Centennial Medal for Women in Leadership to honor women who are making significant contributions to shaping policy that improves the quality of life for all New Yorkers * In 2016, WCC launches its centennial with a Founders' Day celebration at the New York Academy of Medicine, and commemorates its centennial through a variety of programs, panel discussions, and a conference, "From Inequality to Equality: Policies and Programs that Work" * WCC testifies before a New York City Council Committee hearing on a measure prohibiting employers from inquiring about or relying on a prospective employee's salary history * In 2017, WCC participates in: ** the massive

Women's March Women's March may refer to: * Women's March on Versailles, a 1789 march in Paris * Women's Sunday, a 1908 suffragette march in London * Woman Suffrage Procession, a 1913 march and rally in Washington, D.C. * Women's March (South Africa), a 1956 ma ...

on New York City in support of equality and civil rights and to advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice for all ** the Campaign for New York Health rally and lobby day in Albany in support of a universal single-payer health care measure ** the campaign to raise the age to 18 years old for young offenders to be charged as adults * WCC celebrates the announcement by the City of a Universal Physical Education Initiative to strengthen physical education in public schools * In 2018, WCC participates in the second annual Women's March on New York City * WCC joins elected officials and civic leaders and testifies at a Joint New York City Council Committee Hearing on a package of reforms addressing sexual harassment *In 2019, WCC officially launches its new name, vision, and mission. Women's City Club of New York is now Women Creating Change. * In 2019, WCC takes a look into other ways WCC can live its values not just programmatically, but also through its financial partnerships. Specifically, WCC wants to ensure that its monies were managed by companies that shared its values and were committed to expanding and promoting WCC’s mission and were being invested in ways that were aligned with WCC’s programmatic and policy goals. 2020s * In January 2020, WCC participates in the fourth annual Women's March on New York City. * WCC launches "Table Talk" a speaker series involving guests like Director of NYC Census 2020 Office, Julie Menin and Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Chair of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission exploring topics such as voting rights, the 2020 Census, women's activism and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on women. * In February 2020, WCC selects Boston-based investment firm Trillium Asset Management to manage WCC’s portfolio. Trillium has been an industry leader and pioneer in responsible investing and shareholder advocacy for decades. Their focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing makes them the ideal partner for WCC as they believe that change can occur when financial and programmatic work hand-in-hand. Since then, Trillium has become a true partner for WCC — not just in financial growth, but also to help amplify and strengthen WCC’s work in civic engagement. * In March 2020, WCC is excited to sign onto the Our City, Our Vote Coalition. OCOV comprises dozens of nonprofits in New York and aims to extend voting rights to green card holders and those authorized to work in the United States. The coalition is advocating for them to vote in elections for city-level offices, as long as they have been a resident of New York City for at least 30 days and are otherwise qualified to register and vote under New York State election law. WCC was an active participant in the efforts to pass the 19th amendment more than 100 years ago, and is honored to again be fighting for the right to vote for more people! * WCC hosts its first-ever Civic Matters Community Workshop in October 2020. This is the launch of a series of events for women from underrepresented backgrounds to learn about actions they can take to become civically engaged. WCC’s Civic Matters Workshops are safe spaces where women can gather to learn, network, and organize to create change in their communities. Workshops are designed for people who have historically faced barriers to civic participation. * In February 2021, WCC publishes a values statement. Read i
here
* In June 2021, WCC releases a groundbreaking report, A Blueprint for Women’s Civic Engagement in New York City: Toward a More Just and Equitable Democracy. The Blueprint examines the landscape of women’s civic engagement in New York City–focusing on those who have been systemically excluded from civic processes. The report defines civic engagement; identifies the barriers and drivers of civic participation; and highlights recommendations for nonprofits, government, foundations, and the private sector. * The OCOV Coalition declares victory when Intro. 1867 is passed by the New York City Council on December 9, 2021, and became law 30 days later on January 8, 2022. With the passage of Intro.1867, NYC will become the largest city for all green card holders and people with work authorization to vote in city elections beginning January 2023. * The first Workshop Design Team launches in November 2021.

History

Notable members

See also