125 Years and Counting - National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis

Membership

Community Service

Education & Outreach

Advocacy

Awards & Recognition

1893

National Council of Jewish Women is founded by Hannah G. Solomon in Chicago with an initial membership of 93 delegates from 29 cities.

1895

October 14, St. Louis Section of NCJW is established with 34 members.

1919

St. Louis Section pioneers a Free Milk Program in the St. Louis public schools. Responsibility for the program is assumed by the school system in the 1930s.

The St. Louis Scholarship Committee is founded to provide interest free loans for post high school education. The first loan is given to a Jewish woman who is a nursing student. Becomes an independent, non-sectarian organization by 1960, known as the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

1923

Begins sponsoring monthly Luncheons for the Blind, open to the St. Louis community. This is the section’s longest running community service project.

1940

Establishes the Council Shop, a resale store, now located at 295 N. Lindbergh Blvd. Profits provide funding to support NCJW projects.

1956

Opens Council House Summer Day Camp for children, “Camp Council,” serving 600 children ages 6-10.

1960

Art Interest Group is developed in partnership with the St. Louis Art Museum.

1964

The first Couturier Sale is held in a member’s home. This sale continued as an annual event and source of funding for NCJW community service projects.

1969

The Delcrest, a senior citizen apartment complex, opens in University City following NCJW’s first capital campaign.

1976

Wife‑Widow‑Woman Support Groups for women of all ages who have been widowed begins.

1977

Victim Service Council (VSC) is established to provide supportive services to victims of crime. Becomes part of St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office on January 1, 1996.

1980

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is founded to advocate for the rights of abused and neglected children under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis County Juvenile Court. Becomes an independent agency on January 1, 1996.

1983

Oral History Project initiated to “Preserve the Past for the Future Generations.” Trained volunteers conduct interviews and tape family histories.

1985

Advocate Services for Abused Women is established to assist women seeking legal protection from abusive relationships. It becomes an independent agency in 1995 and renamed as Legal Advocates for Abused Women (LAAW).

1986

Junior Council is created to foster community service leadership among Jewish youth.

1988

Inside Israel begins a volunteer program to present the history and culture of Israel to local 6th graders.

1989

Rule of Thumb video produced to provide education on domestic violence.

1991

Freedom of Choice Council of Greater St. Louis, Reproductive Freedom Award.

1991

Southwestern Bell Telephone Volunteer Award, JC Penney-golden Rule Award to “Let’s Prevent Child Abuse” Volunteers.

1992

Child Abuse Detection and Prevention Program (CAPP) is implemented in partnership with Jewish Family and Children’s Service, to educate professionals and parents about the problem of child abuse.

1993

Confluence St. Louis, Citizens Building Community Award.

1995

Dedication of the Gladys and Henry Crown Center for Senior Living (the Delcrest II).

1995

Silent Witness Exhibit opens at Saint Louis Galleria, as a memorial to women in Missouri murdered in 1994 due to domestic violence. This educational project continues to tour St. Louis and Missouri.

1995

The video project, When Women Lead the Way is initiated by NCJW, in partnership with eight women’s organizations, to celebrate the significant contributions to St. Louis. The video highlights women in pioneering, innovative volunteer-driven community service programs.

1996

Moonlighters is established. NCJW’s Moonlighters is geared toward women in their 20’s and 30’s in all stages of life — students, professionals, full time moms or a combination of the above. The name is changed to Young Women’s Council in 1999.

2000

The Back-To-School! Store™ is developed as a one-day event to provide clothing, school supplies, and personal care items for deserving children in the St. Louis area and get them excited to head back to school. The first event was held in August 2001.

2001

Teen Relationships: In Love or In Danger?, an update to the Teen Dating Violence resource guide, is published and marketed to community service agencies and schools.

2003

What’s Right With the Region Award, FOCUS St. Louis Back To School! Store Program.

2007

OACAP (Older Adult Community Action Program) becomes part of NCJW’s community service programs. OACAP provides information, advocacy and educational opportunities for seniors in our community.

2008

Kid’s Community Closet pilots in the Wellston School District. Closets are built in selected schools to provide for the ongoing emergent needs of children to enable them to stay in school and get an education.

2008

Lunch and Learn election education series begins, educating over 250 people about the election process, political process and legislative involvement.

2011

NCJW creates a microlending program called Hearts Healing Bank as part of the Higher Ground initiative. This effort creates a small bank to help women in domestic violence (DV) situations gain financial and economic independence.

2011

NCJW and The Resale Shop move into one building at 295 N. Lindbergh, to consolidate operations and better serve the community.

2014

Project Renewal is created to help underserved women utilize our Resale Shop on Sunday afternoons to get what they need to live and work. In addition, programs to help them move forward are presented by our volunteers with opportunities for personal shopping at no cost as well.