History

More than a century ago, in the midst of World War I, courageous women came together and established Women’s City Club of New York, now Women Creating Change.

The founders had a great purpose in mind: “to consider various political problems…and to offer practical methods by which women may initiate, support, or oppose municipal movements.”

They wasted no time in tackling complex problems, such as abuse of women in sweatshops, intolerable tenement living conditions and the failures of our free society to provide equal opportunities for all.

Many outstanding women joined the organization. Early members included Frances Perkins, a New York City labor leader and later the first female cabinet member as FDR’s Secretary of Labor; Ida Tarbell, legendary muckraking journalist; Alice Duer Miller, a novelist and screenwriter and WCC’s first president; and Virginia Gildersleeve, World War II WAVES commander and dean of Barnard College.

Other WCC activists included Eleanor Roosevelt, then first lady of New York State, who was WCC’s legislative director; Dorothy Schiff, president and publisher of the New York Post; celebrated actress Helen Hayes; and nurse-midwife Ruth Watson Lubic, founder of the National Association of Childbearing Centers and winner of a 1993 MacArthur “genius grant.”

Today, we remain dedicated to the vision and commitment of our first members nearly 100 years ago. Every day, we continue to promote civic engagement, activism and leadership to remove the public policy barriers that limit opportunities for New Yorkers.

Our storied history has been one of advocacy, of camaraderie and advancing the rights of all. The timeline below illustrates the passion, purpose and progress over more than a century of service to New York.

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
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, WCC member and President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, 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, Eleanor Roosevelt 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 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

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 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 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
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 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 [it]”
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 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 revision
In 1999, WCC cosigns an advertisement in The New York Times 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 85^th 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 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
In 2007, WCC urges Congress to expand Earned Income Tax Credit to working poor families and extend Child Tax Credit 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 (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 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 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
In late 2017, Carole J. Wacey begins as President and CEO, and launches a comprehensive, 6-month strategic planning process to examine WCC’s past, present and future roles supporting women in New York City.
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
In June 2018, WCC’s Board adopts a new Vision, “Women Creating Change envisions a more just and equitable New York City where all women are civically engaged.”
In October 2018, WCC’s Board adopts a new Mission, “Women Creating Change is an inclusive community that partners with organizations and with New York City women who have been systemically excluded from civic processes to develop programs and influence policies that result in more equitable civic engagement,” and vision, “Women Creating Change envisions a more just and equitable New York City where all women are civically engaged.”
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 December 2018, newly elected New York State Senator Jessica Ramos addresses members at an annual holiday celebration, as WCC Board Members Heidi Reavis and Deborah Martin Owens and President and CEO Carole J. Wacey unveil plans about WCC’s new future to promote civic engagement for women and girls.
In January 2019, WCC participates in the third annual Women’s March on New York City.
In March 2019, WCC unveils its new name, Women Creating Change.
In March 2019, WCC announces a new vision, mission and signature program— Civic Matters.
In May 2019, WCC adopts Census 2020 to be included in WCC’s policy agenda.
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 in February 2o2o, a monthly speaker series. Key speaker Julie Menin, Director of the Census for NYC, shares important updates about the 2020 Census, including providing resources and factsheets in 22 languages and working with more than 1,000 houses of worship to encourage participation.
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 is comprised of 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!
In March 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the lockdown of New York City, WCC transitions to virtual work and virtual events. The first Table Talk Online: Impact of COVID-19 on Women with guest speaker Jacqueline M. Ebanks, Executive Director of the New York Commission of Gender Equity, addresses the unique challenges for women amid the pandemic, including high levels of unemployment and the burden of increased caregiving responsibilities.
In August 2020,WCC adds a voting reform platform to the WCC policy agenda. The agenda outlines the support and work for policies that would make it easier to vote in New York, focusing on three areas: voter registration; voting process; and the right to vote.
WCC holds the first Civic Matters: Voting Workshop on October 30, 2020. Participants learn about the importance of voting, the role of voter suppression, and how to vote in 2020 and beyond. 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 it 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 9th, 2021, and became law 30 days later on January 8th, 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.

*WCC denounces Margaret Sanger’s endorsement of the Buck v. Bell decision as well as her involvement with the American eugenics movement and her adherence to some of its principles and values.