The Women’s Educational Aid Association (WEAA) founded the Evanston College for Ladies, offered courses, support, and housing for ECL students and later students of the Women’s College of Northwestern University, ran College Cottage (later Pearson’s Hall) and Chapin Hall for many years, and provided scholarships and financial support for female students.
History
The WEAA was started in 1871 by Hannah Bayley Pearsons, Mary Haskin, and other Evanston women to promote higher education for female students at the Evanston College for Ladies and to nurture their material and spiritual welfare. It was originally known only as the Educational Association. By 1873, the Evanston College for Ladies had merged with Northwestern University and the WEAA ceased to exist as originally conceived, though the Aid Fund Committee of the Association took on its name and function. In 1879, the WEAA voted to help women with loans rather than outright grants. By 1904, over 1400 students had received aid from WEAA, and the association started “House Scholarships” that provided free housing. By 1922, over 50 girls lived in WEAA halls for free. 1933 was the most financially difficult year for WEAA, with Pearsons hall closing and sold to NU in 1935. During WWII, it extended help to student nurses at Evanston Hospital. By 1968, the WEAA decided to turn management of Chapin Hall over to the University and officially disbanded.
Importance
In 1869, local women formed the Women’s Educational Aid Association (WEAA) and founded the Evanston College for Ladies to take over the work of North Western Female College and foster a closer connection with Northwestern University as it became coeducational. The college was entirely staffed and run by women, with Frances Willard as college president. In 1871, 236 women were enrolled and a substantial new building for the college was started, but financial problems resulting from the Chicago fire left its future in doubt.