The Women's Service Club (WSC) is located in a lovely “Victorian-esque” brownstone in the heart of the South End of Boston. This house, which has retained much of its original architecture, has been the home of the Women's Service Club since the club’s founding in 1919. The Women’s Service Club began as one of “Mrs. Wilson’s Knitting Clubs,” organized by Mary Evans Wilson (1866–1928), when, during
World War 1, members met to knit scarves and gloves for soldiers - in Boston, her knitting clubs produced 300 new women members. Wilson and her husband, Attorney Butler Wilson, were organizers of the Boston branch of the NAACP, which had the largest membership in the national organization during its first decade, (1909–20) and Mary Evans Wilson traveled throughout the northeast recruiting members for the NAACP. In 1919, the club, by then called the Women’s Service Club, purchased the present building and incorporated with a goal of providing service programs for the African American community. Among the club’s former presidents was Harriet Hall (1890–1975), who co-founded the in*******al Women’s Republican Club on Beacon Hill in 1920. As president of WSC, she spearheaded the WSC’s drive to allow African Americans to live in dormitories of local educational institutions. Through World War II, the club served as a recreation center for enlisted African Americans. One of the WSC’s most prominent members was the late Melnea Cass (1896–1978), who served as President for more than fifteen years. Cass initiated the Homemakers Training Program which certified domestic workers so they would be assured social security and other benefits. Melnea Cass also worked to open employment for African Americans in stores and hospitals, helped found Freedom House, was president of the Boston NAACP, and was renowned for her demonstrable selfless commitment to service, especially in Roxbury. Known as the “First Lady of Roxbury,” Melnea Cass was a charter member of the anti-poverty agency, ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) and was honored by having the Boston YWCA named for her. In 1966, the WSC joined with ABCD to provide support to domestic workers who, brought to Boston from other areas, found themselves stranded or in need of social services. Together, the WSC and ABCD sought to ensure that domestic employees were protected by state labor laws. For over 90 years, WSC’s commitment to service has enriched Boston by providing dynamic programming and services to Boston residents. For decades, this historical building served as housing for female African American students who were denied college housing prior to the Civil Rights Movement. Also, during the Depression, the clubhouse became the site of a successful employment program for women. Today, as one of the state’s oldest organizations of, and for women of color, the WSC is proud to continue serving in the rich legacy of its predecessors and the WSC still upholds its motto, “The Open Door,” by welcoming the community to avail itself of its many offerings. MISSION: The Women's Service Club (WSC) of Boston is driven by service, led by compassion, and fueled with hope! The WSC strives to provide tangible resources and relevant support to families and individuals so that they may better themselves and their communities.
