Women's Building turns a spiffy 30

By Caitlin Donohue

Photos by Erik Anderson

Back in January 2008, before Obamarama had reached its most dizzying heights, before the Beer Summit, even before calling Kanye West a “jackass,” our Barry O.’s campaign trail led him to the Women’s Building. El Presidente-to-be picked the site to publicize his plans to aide working class women and families. He couldn't have chosen a soapbox with better mojo.

In 1979 the Women’s Building became the first women-run and operated resource center in the country. For the past 30 years, its extravagantly muraled walls have housed a cornucopia of practical tools for some of the most overlooked members of our community: a food pantry for immigrant families, dirt cheap professional legal advice, information on how to obtain a restraining order, even an after-school running program to help build confidence in girls. “This is a safe space for women,” says Corrin Buchanan, Program Director. “Lots of people have come through these doors and left with social services. It’s a place to gather for the community.”

Did I mention their Meditation Mondays and that they have rooms available for your next quinceñera? Shoot dang- they’ve been doing this for 30 years? Time for a party. Lend your voice to the celebration-song Thursday at the anniversary soiree. Festivities will include an honoree presentation of the MaestraPeace mural, a collage of feminine strength that already includes everyone from bell hooks to Dolores Huerta. There’ll be bilingual tours of the building and its tenant organizations for WB newbies, a chance to share stories from the past for the elders, food, drink, entertainment and for all comers, the delightful endorphin rush of making a difference.

Thu/24, 4:00 p.m., free
The Women’s Building
3543 18th St., SF
(415) 431-1180
www.womensbuilding.org

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