1890 - 1900: Creating Support for Working
Mothers
Beginning in 1890, the King's Daughters Society
outfitted under-privileged children and provided food baskets for the
needy in the "rapidly growing community." By 1899, these women
began focusing on the need that working mothers had for child care. Day
Nurseries had been started in several large cities, and the King's
Daughters embraced the idea of establishing one in Indianapolis. One of
the founders, Grace Wood, said, "We had no money, no experience in
organization, but we had plenty of enthusiasm."
With what was surely radical thinking in
Indianapolis at that time, the Society opened their day nursery. A room
was rented at 911 West Washington Street. Friends donated a stove and
furnishings for the comfort of the first patrons - a deserted mother and
baby. They lived in the room and received milk and food. Later, another
employed mother brought her baby to be cared for and was charged five
cents per day for the service. Recognizing that their child care services
had to be affordable, the fee was modest and supplemented by the Society's
"silver offering" teas. The fee, together with the gifts the
Society solicited, provided the funds that supported the small care
center. As the use of the service increased, the center was moved to 521
West Walnut.
