New Exhibit, "Women Changing Lives", Open House at Cranbury Station Gallery

Location

The YWCA Princeton invites the public to attend the opening of the portrait exhibit, “Women Changing Lives,” on Thursday, May 19th from 6:00-8:00pm. Opening festivities will be held at Cranbury Station Gallery located at 28 Palmer Square East in the heart of Princeton. There will be an opportunity to meet the women featured in the exhibit and light refreshments will be available.

“It is an honor to host this exhibit,” said Kathy Moraldo, founder of the Cranbury Station Gallery. “I have the fortune of knowing several of these women. They are remarkable women who for years have taken an active role in creating a better, more positive environment for thousands through their involvement with the YWCA Princeton.”

The beautiful portraits, taken by Pryde Brown Photography in Princeton, eloquently capture the character of the women. Cranbury Station Gallery graciously provided the framing of the portraits for the exhibit.

This exhibit highlights an extraordinary group of women whose involvement and support of the YWCA Princeton helped change the lives of women in our community. Their efforts continue to shape the future of the YWCA Princeton today and into the future. The women who have given of themselves who are featured in the portraits include: Rachel Dultz, Margee Harper, Eleanor Horne, Karen Jezierny, Katherine McGavern, and Marge Smith.

Also featured are the “Bramwell Women” including Rosanna Jaffin, Pam Mount, Rosemary O’Brien, Jean Parsons, and Elizabeth Sword. These women had the foresight to recognize the need for more space as the YWCA’s classes for women, men, and children was expanding and the need for a welcoming place for families and neighbors to come together.

These women took on a momentous task banding together and raising the funds to purchase Bramwell House, the two story red-and-white house next door in 1985. The fundraising was chaired by Mary Elizabeth McClellan and Harriette McLoughlin. Just one year after purchasing the house and some renovations, they opened the new facility which included program and office space, conference rooms, an expansive living room, dining room, sun porch as well as a fully operational kitchen.

Because of their foresight, the historic house has become much more than they could have imagined. It has become a beloved second home to many in the community and an integral part of the YWCA. It is a gathering place for newcomers to connect, and a place where a variety of programs and classes are offered. It is home to the YWCA’s Breast Cancer Resource Center, the English as a Second Language Program (whose students hail from 37 countries), numerous children’s summer camp activities, book clubs, and many other adult education programs. By providing a home to all these activities, it is clear that the women of Bramwell House have changed thousands of lives over the past 30 years.