Women of The Old West End (WOWE)    -    The Early Years  1969-1989

The group began when Nancy Coyle, Diane Pribor and Beth Sullivan were elected to the Old West End Association Board.  These three women began discussing ways to get neighborhood input to determine what the Board should work toward.  As a result, in July 1969, women in the Old West End were invited to a coffee.

The group continued to meet every Wednesday afternoon to discuss area problems and goals .  And average of 35-40 women attended each meeting. 

Names were taken at the first few meeting, a calling committee formed and neighbors were invited.  They never knew more than a week in advance where the next meeting would be held.  They just asked for a volunteer for the next week and someone always raised her hand. 

Primarily a discussion group.  The women delved into subjects pertaining to recreational facilities within the area, neighborhood schools and other topics.  The group had no name, but area women enjoyed their no name Club.

Beginning in the fall of 1969, meetings were held the first and third Wednesday of each month.  At the first meeting a speaker discussed such Old West End concerns as mortgage availability, recreation sites and historical homes.  The second meeting served as a discussion period for further elaboration of ideas presented by the speaker or for exploration and planning of new projects.

At these early meetings, a babysitter cared for the young children who accompanied their.  Refreshments were served and the meetings closed promptly at 3:00pm so women could be home to greet their school age children and get dinner underway.  Informally, the group was called the Old West End Mothers Club.

In the first six months, the group named active committees including landmarks, education and recreation.  It also appointed a hospitality committee to welcome new resident.  The women prepared a packet of informational literature to give new neighbors.

In May 1970, the group was officially called Women of the Old West End.  All women of the area, whether  married or single, young or senior citizens, were invited.  Monthly meetings continued in member's homes, some held in the afternoon and others in the evenings.  Leadership was flexible with no elected officers or constitutions.  Common of purpose held the group together.

The landmarks committee collected detailed photographs and historical background of the homes which helped the area gain acceptance on the National Register of Historic Places.  This committee also aided in the publication of Look Again, a Toledo Landmarks Committee book depicting buildings of significant architecture in the downtown and Old West End area.

The recreations committees met with the city recreation department.  Fun Wagons were used successfully throughout the neighborhood.  Arts, crafts and games such as basketball were enjoyed.  This committee activities also let to the establishment of the Summer Fun Program at the American Red Cross, then based on Collingwood Blvd.

The education committee discussed a school visitation program to which mothers visited classrooms as observers.  They also raised money for the Scott High School Stadium Fund.  Members were instrumental in the development of the Collingwood Learning Center, a magnet public grade school offering an open flexible program for each student.

Another committee assisted people moving into the neighborhood to find housing.  By 1972 WOWE had a phone line  called the "Rental Clearinghouse" ,  This non-profit voluntary project provided non-discriminatory access to housing in this inner-city neighborhood.  Nearly 400 prospective tenants called in 1973.  The free service to landlords and prospective tenants continued until 1978.

A housing committee was formed in the fall of 1972 to discover what action might be aimed at the discriminatory treatment the Old West End was receiving from many real estate agents and lending institutions.  This committee devised two forms for collecting specific data on individual experiences.  One form was for those who had tried to buy a home  and the other for those who had tried to sell their home in the area.  Many perspective buying and sellers were running into roadblocks due to the geographic location of  the property.  After this committee  had sufficient documentation, the women discussed their findings with banks and lending institutions.

In the spring of 1973, WOWE presented an ordinance to City Council prohibiting solicitation by real estate salesmen which would also have prohibited "for sale" and "sold" signs except by owners in any area of the  city considered sensitive or transitional.  Several cases of "block busting" tactics used by real estate salesmen/women were documented.

The ordinance was defeated, but it sparked the Toledo Board of Realtor to adopt an affirmative marketing plan in 1975.  This meant that "steering", the door-to door solicitation and the unwise use of  "for sale" signs would end.

In May 1972, WOWE held and "Open House"  in an attempt to dispel some of the myths and prejudices about the neighborhood.  Five homes were opened to guests and coffee was served.  In addition to the host and hostess, other couples who lived in the OWE were at each home to help explain some of the interesting features of the house and the area.  .

More than 250 people visited, despite rainy weather.  The hostesses had to send out for extra coffee and cookies since the crowds had exceeded WOWE's fondest dreams.  Due to the enormous success of the venture, WOWE hoped it would become an annual event.  Needless to say, this Open House has evolved into the Old West End Spring Festival, a time when thousands of people enjoy the beauty and friendliness of our neighborhood.

These are just a few of the many activities of WOWE during its early years.  Stay tuned as we are putting the finishing touches on the next 20 years (1989 - 2009).  Much happened during this period as well.