| Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 2066 Pine Street, San Francisco, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°47′19″N122°25′48″W / 37.788631°N 122.429895°W /37.788631; -122.429895 (Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women) |
| Built | c. 1878 – c. 1879 |
| Built for | Third Baptist Church |
| Architectural style | Italianate style |
| Designated | December 12, 1999 |
| Reference no. | 211 |
  Location of Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women in San Francisco County Show map of San Francisco County Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women (California) Show map of California | |
TheMadame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women, or simplyWalker Home, is a historicItalianate building in theLower Pacific Heights neighborhood (orUpper Fillmore) of San Francisco, California, U.S.. From 1921 to 1972, the building housed a charitable, community and social services organization for single African American woman new to San Francisco, who were not eligible to use theYWCA.
It is listed as aSan Francisco Designated Landmark since 1999.[1] The building is now a private residence and is not open to the public.
The Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women was named afterMadam C. J. Walker (1867–1919), an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist; and the first female self-made millionaire in the United States.[2][3] The Walker Home was financially supported by theThird Baptist Church.[2] It was opened by Irene Bell Ruggles, the president of theCalifornia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.[4]
From 1921 to 1972, the building housed a community and social services program for single African American woman new to San Francisco, who were not eligible to use the services at the YWCA.[1][2] The home primarily served to help women find affordable housing and local work, but also served as a community meeting place.[2] In 1926, the basement of the building was converted into a social hall.[2] In the 1930s, the "Beauticians Club" met at the Walker Home.[3] DuringWorld War II, the Walker Home became a vital part of the community, supporting an influx of population growth of African Americans moving to the area.[2]
In 1972, the program was moved toHayes Street and the building was sold as a private residence.[2]