The Hermann-Grima Historic House: 50 Years a Rooming House

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 - 6:00pm
Gallier Gatherings this month will highlight the often-neglected history of the Hermann-Grima House. The story begins with the purchase of the “Grima Mansion” in 1924 by the Christian Woman’s Exchange (now Woman’s Exchange), for use as its headquarters and residence for single working women. Over the next 50 years, 820 St. Louise Street would be “home” to hundreds of women, some staying just a few days, others staying for years. Beth Willinger’s discussion will focus on several of the women whose decisions as board members shaped the history of the house, and several of the women who considered their home one of the 21 rooms of the “Residence of the Christian Woman’s Exchange.” Attention to both groups of women, whose lives often intertwined in typically New Orleans fashion, provides a deeper understanding of the history of women in the city. About the Speaker: Beth Willinger is a sociologist, feminist scholar, and retired executive director of the Newcomb Center for Research on Women at Tulane University. Her research has focused largely on Louisiana women’s political, economic and educational status. She has published and lectured widely on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the women of New Orleans, gender inequality in the state, and the social history of 19th and 20th century women, with a particular interest in housing for single women.

WWOZ
Get the 'OZone monthly newsletter
facebook logo
Like us on Facebook
Volunteer
Volunteer at WWOZ
WWOZ
Hear it here!