Women’s Lunch Place Timeline

1982-1985

Federal funding is eliminated for mental institutions.

Many severely mentally ill individuals are now homeless and overnight shelters become overcrowded.

The Boston Fair Housing Commission is established to ensure equal access to housing.

No women-only daytime safe spaces exist in Boston.

Women’s Lunch Place opens, serving eight guest lunch three days per week.

1986-1989

Homeless, mentally ill individuals are increasingly incarcerated.

Multiple studies show that jails are beginning to replace the mental health system.

Women’s Lunch Place expands and now serves 60 guest breakfast and lunch five days per week.

WLP begins addressing basic needs beyond food insecurity through our Direct Care program.

1990-1993

Massachusetts closes 10 state-run psychiatric institutions.

Women’s Lunch Place now sees 100 guests per day.

WLP hires our first Support Coordinator and our first Advocate, who begin addressing guests’ complex needs.

WLP expands to add shower and laundry services, and rooms for children, clothing, and resting.

1994-1997

Rent control is outlawed in Massachusetts. The Violence Against Women Act is passed.

To meet demand, Women’s Lunch Place adds a sixth day of service.

WLP expands the Advocacy Program.

Advocates now provide housing searches, connections to public benefits, and access to basic legal assistance

1998-2001

UMass study shows a marked increase in single mothers on Boston streets.

Women make $0.76 to every dollar earned by a man.

Women's Lunch Place offers access to computers and phones to assist with self-advocacy in housing and job search.

WLP begins offering free health care services on-site. WLP opens for two additional hours each day.

2002-2005

Over 8,000 women statewide reside in domestic violence or homeless shelters.

The Supreme Court upholds no-fault evictions for public housing tenants.

More than one million people take part in the March for Women’s Lives.

Women’s Lunch Place expands Resource Center services to aid guests in searches for housing, employment, education, and more.

2006-2009

The Ledbetter Act allows victims of pay discrimination, mostly women, to file a government complaint.

The “Me Too” movement is founded.

During the Great Recession of 2008, Women’s Lunch Place is forced to reduce Advocacy work to keep Healthy Meals and Direct Care services available.

WLP formalizes the Creative Expressions program.

2010-2013

Occupy Wall Street highlights predatory financial institutions and the extreme wealth gap.

The ban on women in military combat positions is removed.

Women’s Lunch Place undergoes a $3 million renovation, adding new floors for an expanded Resource Center, medical suites, library, offices, and a classroom, and increasing our laundry and shower capacity.

2014-2017

Long Island Bridge closure cuts off ~750 homeless individuals from shelter/services.

Only 45 women’s beds are immediately replaced. Government-issued aluminum cots, some broken, are set up in the old city morgue.

A tent city grows at the intersection of Mass. Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd.

Women’s Lunch Place sees a 38% increase in overall service usage.

2018-2021

COVID-19 ravages the world.

Marginalized women working in food service and hospitality are disproportionately unemployed in the “Pink Collar Recession.”

Isolation worsens the mental health crisis.

Women’s Lunch Place pivots to provide curbside meals and Advocacy outreach, a Mobile Food Pantry, Community Meals Program, PPE, remote laundry, and technology for isolated guests.

WLP pilots an innovative Housing Stabilization program.

2022-PRESENT

Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Massachusetts records a record number of opioid overdose deaths.

115,000 low-income rental units are needed in Metro Boston.

Grocery inflation rises to the highest point in four decades.

Women’s Lunch Place serves and distributes a record 111,009 Healthy Meals.

WLP formalizes Wellness programming, including addiction and mental health recovery services.