Women’s Resource Center Celebrates 50 Years of Empowering Women and Girls in Greater Philadelphia
Wayne, PA – January 30, 2025 – The Women’s Resource Center (WRC), a cornerstone of support, strength, and service for women in Greater Philadelphia, is marking its 50th anniversary. Since 1975, WRC’s mission has remained consistent: Help women and girls successfully navigate difficult life transitions and inspire others to do the same. By providing resources, tools, and support for today, WRC creates hope for tomorrow.
A Rich History of Advocacy and Empowerment
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) began in 1975 when five women from the Central Baptist Church in Wayne placed an ad in The Suburban and Wayne Times calling for a meeting on women’s issues. The first meeting attracted 45 attendees, indicating strong demand for an organization dedicated to the unique needs of women. Since then, WRC has worked to help empower women to create better lives for themselves and their children by providing or connecting them to needed resources including housing, education, employment, finance, counseling and more.
50 Years of Empowerment and Impact
“The Women’s Resource Center is an invaluable organization that serves women and people in need across our region,” said Pennsylvania Senator Amanda Cappelletti. “Their work helps the most vulnerable members of our communities find much needed support and stability in times of turmoil. Congratulations to WRC as they celebrate 50 years of showing up for those who need them the most!”
Central to the WRC’s effort is the volunteer-operated and staff supported Information & Referral Helpline, which connects over 1,000 callers annually to essential community resources and services. Local family law attorneys generously provide pro bono consultations, ensuring women without financial means have access to critical legal support.
In the past year alone, WRC’s Counseling Services delivered more than 2,100 sessions—an impressive eightfold increase compared to six years ago—with more than 90% offered at no cost to clients through a sliding fee scale. WRC receives the majority of its funding support for programs from private philanthropy, including foundation support. Frances Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County remarked on WRC’s 50th anniversary,
“The Foundation for Delaware County congratulates the Women’s Resource Center on 50 years of empowering women and girls through challenging life transitions. For five decades, WRC’s programs and services have helped women with financial stability, self-advocacy, and awareness of systemic barriers. Their counseling services have been a lifeline for countless women, and their impact continues to inspire. We are proud to support WRC in building brighter futures and wish them continued success for many years to come.”
Additionally, the Financial Stability Services program, launched in 2020, enlists volunteer financial and career coaches to empower clients on their journey to financial independence. A recent client of the program reflected on her WRC experience,
“WRC has helped me tremendously work through the challenges of my life to be productive and live more fully again. To strengthen and empower women and be a light to one another is a mission I am deeply grateful for, to help me grow in such a difficult time of my life. The positive reinforcement, mindfulness, caring, and non-judgmental approach is extraordinary!”
The Girls Lead program, a flagship initiative equipping middle and high school girls with essential life skills, partnered with 22 schools in 2024 with plans to add six more schools this year. By fostering leadership skills and self-confidence, this program continues to make a meaningful impact on young women in the community.
Tamela Luce, President and CEO, Phoenixville Community Health Foundation commented,
“The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation has been a longtime funder of the Women’s Resource Center’s Girls Lead Program, which helps middle school girls build the confidence they need at a critical point in their development. It’s been incredibly gratifying to see how much this program has expanded in recent years – a testament to both the need as well as the effectiveness of the program. It’s one of the many needed services that Women’s Resource Center provides. We congratulate Women’s Resource Center on reaching this incredible milestone and wish them continued success!”
Through its core programming, WRC estimates the organization has assisted well over 30,000 women and even more children and family members over its 50 years of service.
One recent Helpline caller spoke to WRC’s dedication to women in the community: “I never thought I would get this kind of help when I called. I was so anxious…Thank you for understanding what I’m going through.”
Celebration Highlights
WRC’s signature annual event, the Breakthrough Breakfast, will commemorate the anniversary on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, PA with the goal of raising more than $127,000 to expand operations and continue empowering women for decades to come. Marcia O’Connor, Founder and CEO of The O’Connor Group, will be featured in a fireside chat.
WRC has also launched a special fundraising campaign to mark the anniversary with the aim of attracting $50,000 in support to ensure WRC can continue its mission for many years to come. Visit https://womensresourcecenter.
Thank you to the Community and an Invitation to Get Involved
“We’re incredibly grateful to the many supporters, volunteers, and staff who have contributed to WRC’s success over the years,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Monroe. “Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in our community.”
WRC invites the community to join in the celebration and support its mission of empowering women and girls in our region.
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Contact:
Elizabeth Monroe
Executive Director
Women’s Resource Center
484-254-4168 | [email protected]
