Our Mission
Founded by Mrs. Winona Idell Lincoln and eleven friends in 1915
Their first assignment was with the Aged Ministers and Laymen’s Home maintained by The Women’s Auxiliary of the Union Baptist Association. They worked with the home for 2 years
The friends were asked by West Penn Hospital in 1917 to help with African-American patients in giving convalescent care. The team made referrals to the hospital, bought braces, baby supplies and supplied car fare and other goods and services to help those in need. Then known as the Harriet Tubman Club, Aide to the social services department of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.
The Club established a Negro History Class at Peabody High School and presented the school with a set of Carter G. Woodson’s books on Negro History
In 1928, The Club were the first African-Americans to get free radio time to present an all black musical and literary program in Allegheny County
In 1930, the top five radio stations gave time for cultural programming and acquainted the public with the work of the Guild
In 1932, The Youth Chapter volunteered at West Penn Hospital and became the first black black girls employed by West Penn Hospital as Nurses Aides
In 1934, The Harriet Tubman Club was incorporated and updated the name to The Harriet Tubman Guild, Inc.
In 1938, The Guild purchased The Terrace House at 7921 Frankstown Avenue. The Chapters donated all of the furniture and supplies
In 1948, The Queens Luncheon was established
During Wartime, The Guild sold war bonds, held a blood drive, sold stamps and purchased towels for the Deshon Veterans Hospital. The Terrace House was accepted as emergency housing for civil defense. Members volunteered at every hospital in Pittsburgh, Sewickly Valley Hospital, McKeesport Hospital, Pittsburgh Baptist Association and the NAACP
In 1968, The Guild were the first African-Americans to acquire land to build housing and the first in the City of Pittsburgh to have low income housing for seniors
In 2004, The Earlen B. Taylor Scholarship was established