Portland Women’s Foundation

Established 1887 as Portland Women’s Union, the Portland Women’s Foundation worked to address the needs of women in Portland. The founding women did not choose to be a social club, but rather a serious organization dedicated to helping advance women. The term “union” was chosen to demonstrate the serious intent of the founders to “uphold the ideals and advancement of American womanhood, to establish residence, to provide counsel and assistance when necessary and to minister to their well being and happiness.”

The organization initially started with a small boarding home, Anna Lewis Hall, to house unescorted women at the turn of the century, who came to Portland to work. The initial house accommodated twenty women and started the growth of the organization that eventually led to the construction of the first Martha Washington Hotel in 1917. 

The Union started a night school for women which was later turned over to the superintendent of the Portland Public Schools to become the City’s first public night school. They also appointed a Depot Matron for the Union Station which evolved into Traveler’s Aid. A Women’s Exchange was organized to provide a market for home cooking and homemade articles, and classes were given for children in sewing and garden work.

In 1983, the organization sold its real estate and used the proceeds to establish an endowment to fund its ongoing mission of assisting women. Today, the endowment provides funding to and average of thirty organizations a year, continuing the tradition of helping women in the Portland area. 

In twenty-five years, we’ve distributed close to $2.5 million to agencies in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. These grants ensure: The basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing for women in need; education and training for nontraditional, better paying jobs for minorities and low income women; counseling for recovering addicts, battered, and dependent women; and education to help women make better choices and establish safe relationships.

The Foundation is run by an all-women, all-volunteer board in Portland.

Written by Deborah L. Thomas, President PWF 2007–2008