Worcester Women's History Project

CONTACT:

30 Elm Street
Worcester, MA 01609
508-767-1852
www.wwhp.org

Frances Langille, President

DESCRIPTION:

The Worcester Women's History Project was founded in 1994 to illuminate the distinguished history of women in Worcester County. Its "Women 2000" conference re-enacted the first National Woman's Rights Convention, which was held in Worcester in 1850, where a resolution was passed declaring the equality of all people before the law, without regard to gender or race. The 2000 conference similarly addressed issues raised at the first convention: women's education, work, health and relationships.

Worcester was, in the mid-19th century, home to a number of nationally influential women, including Abby Foster (1810-1887, abolitionist and suffragist), Dorothea Dix (1802-1887, advocate for the mentally ill), Lucy Stone (1818-1893, suffragist) and Clara Barton (1821-1912, founder of the American Red Cross). WWHP has commissioned four nationally known artists to paint their portraits for display in Mechanics Hall.

Most recently, the WWHP has developed the Women's History Heritage Trail for Central Massachusetts, a booklet and a one-woman play about Abby Kelley Foster. With its good works underway, you can help WWHP continue making a difference.

(1998: CULTURE: Education: Informal: General)