Abbreviation | P.W.L. |
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Formation | December 6, 1892 |
Founder | Mrs. A. M. Palmer |
Headquarters | 1509 Broadway, New York City, New York, U.S. |
Services |
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Methods |
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Fields | primarily, actors |
Professional Woman's League (acronym, P.W.L.) was an American charitable organization in New York City, founded by Mrs. A. M. Palmer,[1][2] It was organized December 6, 1892, and incorporated February 28, 1893. By 1904, it numbered more than 500 women engaged in public pursuits, among them many of the representative actresses of England and the U.S.[3]
The aims of the league were to bring together women engaged in dramatic, musical, literary, artistic, and scientific pursuits for mutual help and encouragement, to offer pecuniary assistance when in need, to provide class instruction in literature, art, language, music, and other studies at lowest possible rates, and to assist members to obtain outfits necessary to securing employment. Active membership in the League was confined to women engaged in dramatic, musical, or literary pursuits. The dues for active and associate members alike were US$7.50 a year, and in addition, each member, upon being admitted to membership, pledged herself to contribute two articles yearly which could either be sold in the bazar or utilized in the costume department.[4]