B’nai B’rith Women 

 The B’nai B’rith Women conducted many of the same activities as the male chapters of the organization. With two chapters, Youngstown Chapter 123 and Mahoning Chapter 1252, the B’nai B’rith Women conducted a variety of charitable services on behalf of the city of Youngstown. The twenty-two charter members included: Fanny Harr, Sarah Rome, Florence Bunshaft, Adele Hollander, Elizabeth Feuer, Mabel Stone, Tillie Freed, Mae Grossman, Ann Kaufman, Lee Spector, Bertha Fried, Gert Lockshin, Annie Brody, Cecilia Mendelssohn, Rose Shorr, Sylvia Friedland, Dorothy Cohen, Anna Brill, Fanny Cohen, Pearl Knight Hoffman, Hermina Smigelsky, Leah Rapaport.

In 1987, the organization celebrated its 90th anniversary. In honor of the women’s dedication and service to the city of Youngstown, Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro declared August 18, 1987 “B’nai B’rith Women’s Day.” The two chapters combined total membership of nearly 400 women. Along with other causes, their community service focused particularly on supporting children and education. Programs continued to evolve with the organization to focus on broader concerns of women, both in the home and the work place. The organization eventually changed its name to the Jewish Women International.[1] 

B’nai B’rith women clipping. Acc. No. JA94-810P-1, MVHS Collections

Bnai Brith Ladies, 1953-1954 N Side Recreation.  Acc. No. JA87-255, MVHS Collection.

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society educates and promotes an interest in the history of the Mahoning Valley by collecting, preserving, and developing material representative of the people who have inhabited the region.

Website Copyright 2008 ©  Mahoning Valley Historical Society

Website hosting  by Directed Technologies, Inc.