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Farewell tribute held at former Woman’s Home

On Sunday, June 24, The Pink Museum hosted “A Farewell Tribute – Keeping the Memory Alive” for the Woman’s Home. It has been one year since the board of the home announced it was closing after 132 years of service.

The Woman’s Home officially opened with its first resident in1885. Martha Swift entered the house, placed her hand on the wall, and said, “Let me feel it – let me bless it – blessings on this shelter, and blessings on those it shelters and those who care for it. Amen.”

The house has been truly blessed. Eleanor Eileen Lee, the honored guest as a representative of the nearly three hundred women that followed Swift, was a resident of the Woman’s Home for approximately eight years and one of the last to leave. She received a corsage from The Pink Museum’s treasurer, Tammy Bates. Her fondest memories of living in the home were socializing with other people. Ms. Lee explained that living alone was difficult and that when she moved into the Woman’s Home her life became much fuller and more enjoyable.

At Sunday’s event, The Pink Museum displayed exhibits depicting the history of the foundation, the organization, and events that have been a part of this unique institution. Jennifer Powers, vice-president, stated the goal of the non-profit is to reveal, inspire, and empower women by recognizing the historic contributions of women of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Powers gave a special thanks to The Women’s Giving Circle for the grant that made this presentation possible. Carol Wharff of the Women’s Giving Circle said, “I think The Pink Museum brings the people aspect to their exhibits. It’s not often that women are the focus of our local history.”

Jann Adams, president and co-researcher with Jessica Wielitzka, noted that the Woman’s Home archival materials depicted the founders and later Boards of Managers as being women of great determination, diligence, and dedication. “It was an impossible dream of a few women in the 1880s – a dream that was fulfilled. I would guess that the founding mothers would be quite pleased that this home served women for 132 years.”

The future of the Woman’s Home was of particular interest with the audience. Becky Mathis-Stump, chief operating officer for Ethos Leadership Group and member of the board, explained, “the organization itself will live on and honor its legacy of supporting women in the Marietta community and surrounding areas. After the property on Third Street is sold, The Woman’s Home Board of Directors will create a donor-advised fund at Marietta Community Foundation using the proceeds from the sale and any assets remaining in The Woman’s Home bank and investment accounts. It will continue to operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a Board of Directors whose role is to receive grant requests and determine which requests to fund through the donor-advised fund. The Woman’s Home will accept grant requests that support issues, causes, and concerns that support women in Washington County, OH and Wood County, WV.”

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