The Woman's Exchange Movement (or Women's Exchange Movement) refers to a system of benevolent consignment stores, usually established and managed by women, to benefit women. A number of them are members of the Federation of Woman's Exchanges (1934), which is still active.

Background

The Woman's Exchange Movement in the United States dates to 1832, with the establishment of the Philadelphia Ladies' Depository. Exchanges are non-profit establishments. In the 19th century they were mainly set up by philanthropic women, providing a setting for women to sell their embroidery, sewing, and fancywork. This allowed women to earn a living without working outside their homes. Initially, the exchanges in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

and

New Brunswick New Brunswick is a Provinces and Territories of Canada, province of Canada, bordering Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to ...

appear to have catered for women who had seen better days and had now become self-supporting. At the time it was socially unacceptable for "genteel women" to work and the Women's Exchanges allowed them to sell their work anonymously. The managers and organizers of the exchanges added to their philanthropic status. These women were also able to use their entrepreneurial skills in a socially acceptable way. Many exchanges added tearooms and lunchrooms, which provided more revenue and became fashionable meeting places for upper-class women. While almost all the exchanges were unsuccessful as businesses, they nevertheless set high standards for the items they accepted, charging a commission of only 10 percent on sales. Consumers were therefore able to benefit from an interesting selection of hand-made articles at interesting prices. While many depositories and exchanges were local or regional operations, the Federation of Woman's Exchanges was established in 1934 and is still active. While the Woman's Exchange Movement continued through the twentieth century and some exchanges are still in business, the movement has faded, due to a changing work force, rising rents, and a resistance to high-priced, hand-made merchandise.

Select list of 19th-century Women's Exchanges

A table of Woman's Exchanges from 1832 through 1891 compiled from the 1891 publication ''Directory of Exchanges for Woman's Work'' and other sources.

Prominent women in the Exchange Movement

Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Good Wives'' (1869), ''Little Men'' (1871), and ''Jo's Boys'' ...

, founder of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, Boston * Sara Dary Armbruster, founder of the Woman's Exchange, Philadelphia * Margaret W. Bartlett, founder of the Christian Woman's Exchange, New Orleans *

Ida Wikoff Baker Ida Wikoff Baker (July 31, 1859 - April 21, 1907) was an American business executive, civic leader and philanthropist during the early 20th century whose legacy remains evident in 21st-century Decatur, Illinois. She and her sister, Laura B. Wikoff P ...

, first president of the Woman's Exchange, Decatur, Illinois * Mrs. G. Harmon Brown, founder of the Woman's Industrial Exchange, Baltimore *

Mary Atwater Choate Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a female given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religion * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also called the Blesse ...

, founder of the New York Exchange for Women's Work *

Harriet Clisby Harriet Clisby (31 August 1830 – 30 April 1931) was an English physician, women's rights activist, and founder of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union in Boston. Early life Harriet Jemima Winifred Clisby was born in St. James's, ...

, founder of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, Boston *

Elizabeth Bacon Custer Elizabeth Bacon Custer ( Bacon; April 8, 1842 – April 4, 1933) was the wife of Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer, United States Army. She spent most of their twelve-year marriage in relative proximity to him despite his numerous mi ...

, founder of the New York Exchange for Women's Work *

Abby Morton Diaz Abby Morton Diaz (November 22, 1821 – April 1, 1904) was a teacher, women's rights organizer, and industrial reformer. Early life She was born in 1821 in Plymouth, Massachusetts to Ichabod Morton, a prominent anti-slavery worker. She had five ...

, founder of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, Boston *

Julia Ward Howe Julia Ward Howe ( ; May 27, 1819 – October 17, 1910) was an American author and poet, known for writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as new lyrics to an existing song, and the original 1870 pacifist Mothers' Day Proclamation. She w ...

, founder of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, Boston *

Grace Carew Sheldon Grace Carew Sheldon (March 25, 1855 – August 20, 1921) was an American journalist, author, and editor, as well as a businesswoman. She was the founder of Woman's Exchange of Buffalo, New York. Sheldon gave drawing-room talks in cities around th ...

, founder of the Woman's Exchange, Buffalo *

Candace Wheeler Candace Wheeler (née Thurber; March 24, 1827 – August 5, 1923), traditionally credited as the mother of interior design, was one of America's first woman interior and textile designers. She helped open the field of interior design to women, s ...

, founder of the New York Exchange for Women's Work

References

{{reflist 1832 establishments in Pennsylvania Women in the United States Women's organizations based in the United States

Background

Select list of 19th-century Women's Exchanges

Prominent women in the Exchange Movement

See also

References