50 Years Strong: Celebrating Milestones and Setting New Goals

Celebrating 50 years of service! 

This year, The Women’s Center commemorates a remarkable milestone: 50 years of serving the Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia communities.   

In reaching this half-century milestone, we can’t help but reflect on how much has changed during the past five decades, as well as celebrate the impact that The Center has had on the community.  

A lot has changed 

To place the significance of the past fifty years in perspective, when The Women’s Center first opened in 1974: 

• The DC Metro system was not in existence yet (opened in 1976) 
• The (currently named) Washington Wizards basketball team had just moved to Washington, DC (in 1973), giving the community its first NBA franchise, and The Washington Capitals hockey team was not yet in existence (their inaugural season was 1974-1975) 
• George Mason University had just become its own entity (it was formerly a small extension campus of the University of Virginia).  
• In Maryland, physicians and scientists from Johns Hopkins University had just developed the first heart pacemaker (1973). 
• The Greater Washington DC Metropolitan area population was less than 2.6 million (now over 5.5. million). 

Through it all, The Women’s Center has grown along with the community, thanks to the unwavering support of countless community members, like you. Together, we’ve built a legacy of service that spans half a century, and we’re just getting started. 

The roots of our mission 

The Women’s Center opened its doors in 1974 as The Northern Virginia Information and Counseling Center for Women. Our organization was originally founded to provide career counseling, employment training, and support programs to facilitate workforce re-entry for women. The Center’s original charter was based on Federal legislation, CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act), which was enacted by Congress in 1973 to consolidate existing federal job training programs to help unemployed, underemployed, and disadvantaged individuals. 

From this tiny parent agency, lodged in a three-room basement office, The Women’s Center has since grown to become a one-of-a-kind, multidisciplinary resource for all people throughout and beyond the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. And while the breadth and depth of our services have expanded, our core mission of service has remained steadfast.  

The mission of The Women’s Center is to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of our community through counseling, education, and support – regardless of ability to pay. 

Serving the expanding needs of the community  

While The Women’s Center maintains a strong focus and affiliation to women (including keeping the word “Women” in our name), today we provide resources and services to everyone in our community. Beyond offering 35,000+ hours of direct service to 3,300+ individuals annually, we have proudly expanded our geographic reach (as the metropolitan area has broadened), empowered more adolescents, and made our services more accessible for all (through affordable rates, added programs, and broader services). 

At The Women’s Center, innovation drives impact. We deliver efficient, affordable services through comprehensive programs, earning recognition for our collaborative partnerships. Since the 80s, we have been evolving offerings to deliver holistic support and address the diverse legal, financial, professional, and psychological needs of women and families. We recently launched adolescent mental health services, solidifying our commitment to holistic well-being. 

The journey continues: Our vision for the future    

Our 50th anniversary marks a milestone, but the need for our services remains urgent. Individuals in our community still face gaps in healthcare coverage and access to necessary mental health and support services. Ongoing, as well as recent challenges such as inflation, divorce-related struggles, domestic violence, economic hardships, and the changing demographics of the region have amplified our community’s needs. But these challenges have also strengthened our resolve to make a difference. That’s why our work is more critical than ever, and we’re committed to addressing these challenges head-on. 

We are open to all members of our community. No matter your age, background, or circumstance. Whether navigating a difficult transition, a personal loss, or simply hoping to unlock the potential, we believe everyone deserves support on their journey, and offer a safe space to explore, heal, and grow. 

Our vision is realized because of our partners – corporate, government, nonprofit, and individuals. Their generous contributions fund essential, life-changing programs, empowering us to fight mental health stigma and improve lives through accessible, high-quality services. We are committed to continuing our work and continuing to expand our services to support the changing needs and nurturing relationships with donors and supporters who make that work possible. As a local non-profit, we could never have done this without you.  

Here’s to the next 50 years of service – moving forward together.

How You Can Support Us:

Please support our mission by donating. 

Learn more about our organization and services, and help us spread the word!

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