5 Fun Facts: Women’s History at Goodwill of Greater Washington

We thought we’d take this opportunity to highlight some of the significant contributions women have made to both the inception and continuing mission growth of Goodwill of Greater Washington.

• Goodwill of Greater Washington was founded by a woman. In 1930, Elizabeth Murray, a social worker, and advocate for people with disabilities, who strongly believed in the Goodwill mission, initiated a campaign to establish Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) in the nation’s capital. For five years, Mrs. Murray recruited community leaders and solicited funds. On May 31st, 1935, Mrs. Murray and six other community leaders signed the incorporation papers for what was then known as Goodwill Industries of Washington, DC.
• Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission was funded by a woman during its rapid stages of growth. In 1939, a generous $100,000 donation from Anne Hubbard Davis allowed Goodwill to purchase its own building at 1214 New Hampshire Avenue. Thus, Goodwill of Greater Washington’s legal name is Davis Memorial Goodwill Industries. By then, Goodwill had 126 employees, 5 stores, a dry-cleaning plant, shoe and furniture repair shops, and 5 trucks.
• The Goodwill Guild, a group of women volunteers, played an intricate key role in facilitating fundraisers to benefit Goodwill’s mission. In 1956, Goodwill opened a comprehensive rehabilitation center to serve a large number of veterans with disabilities. Employees refinished and restored donated items which were then sold in Goodwill stores. Since then, numerous volunteers have worked diligently to help generate both money and awareness for Goodwill’s critical mission to provide job training for people with disabilities and disadvantages.