THE HISTORY OF WOMEN HELPING ALL PEOPLE
Women Helping All People began in 1990 from the idea of Mrs. Mattie Boatman who wanted to help young women of Marin City who lived in the Golden Gate Village public housing complex and who had a lot of idle time. She contacted Mrs. Royce McLemore and Suzanne Cooper to make her vision a reality. The three women met at her home and decided on a name since every group “must have a name.” They decided on “Women Helping Women.”
The first meeting was held in July, 1990 in Mrs. McLemore’s front yard. Sixteen women, along with their children, attended. Lunch was provided. The group continued to meet as a support group. The gathering was special because the women who came had never participated in other community groups. In a short time, the assembly grew into a volunteer, non-profit tax-exempt organization that had to change its name to Women Helping All People.
Photo of Royce McLemore and Mattie Boatman