League of Women for Community Service facts for kids
The League of Women for Community Service, founded in 1918, is a historic organization for Black women in Boston, Massachusetts. It has worked for over a century to support the African American community.
How It Started
The League of Women for Community Service began in 1918. Its main goal was to help African American soldiers and sailors during World War I. At that time, Black people often faced unfair treatment. They were not allowed in many public places.
So, the League created the "Soldiers Comfort Unit." This unit had different groups. These groups helped with things like spreading information, welcoming visitors, providing entertainment, and getting supplies. They also helped with knitting and Red Cross efforts.
The League's first leader was Maria Baldwin. She was a very important African American educator. She led the League until she passed away in 1922. Other well-known members included Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin and Florida Ruffin Ridley.
A Special Home
At first, League meetings were held in members' homes. But in January 1920, the League bought its own building. This building became their main office. It is located on Chester Square in Boston.
The house was built in 1857 for William and Martha Carnes. They were abolitionists, meaning they worked to end slavery. Their home was even a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. The League bought this historic home in 1920.
Helping the Community
After World War I, the League started offering more programs. They wanted to help Boston's Black community in many ways. In the 1930s, they even had a social worker in their office.
The League also helped students get school lunches. They sponsored a lunch program for children at the Dwight School. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) also opened Boston's first community reading and game room in the building's basement.
The League also provided a safe place to stay for students. Many Black students were not allowed in college dorms because of segregation. Coretta Scott King, who later married Martin Luther King Jr., stayed at the League's headquarters. She lived there in the early 1950s while studying at Boston Conservatory.
The League Today
The League of Women for Community Service is still active today. In 2021, they received a special grant. This money helped them fix the front entrance of their historic building.
The League also helps young women go to college. Each year, they give out Maria L. Baldwin Scholarships. These scholarships go to college-bound African American female students. The students are from the Roxbury and Dorchester areas of Boston.
In 2022, Boston's Archeological Program started digging behind the League's building. They hoped to learn more about the first owners of the house. They also wanted to find out more about its role in the Underground Railroad. This dig also helped them learn about the League's early history.
See also
- Military history of African Americans#World War I and Interwar Period
