Mobilized Women of Berkeley.

The Mobilized Women of Berkeley (Moby) first organized for war work in 1917 and later developed a peace time program serving as a welfare organization. They established a community center that provided activities and services for both adults and youth of Berkeley. In 1969, they announced the retirement of the organization and handed over the deed to their headquarters to the East Bay Association for Retarded Children.

From the description of Mobilized Women of Berkeley records, 1917-1969. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 84650850

Organizational Information

During World War I, hundreds of Berkeley women met in May 1917 to "mobilize" for the war effort. They named their group the Mobilized Women's Organizations of Berkeley. The women formed their own army by inaugurating the block system where they divided neighborhoods into sections, each containing several blocks that were assigned to members for donation solicitations. They conducted many successful drives for food conservation, liberty bonds, and the Red Cross. Most significantly, they developed a program to reclaim waste. They gathered newspapers, magazines, clothing, furniture, and other salvaged materials that could be cleaned and repaired to be made useful again. The organization was able to remain self-sustaining through the sales of these items in their thrift stores and other fund raising activities.

After the war, the organization renamed themselves the Mobilized Women of Berkeley (Moby). Their peace time program included the continuing reclamation of waste with proceeds used to promote citizenship and meeting the social and financial needs of the underpriviledged residents of Berkeley. The purpose of their "Americanization" work was to make better American citizens of the native born and to bring American ideals and citizenship to the foreign born. They served as a welfare organization cooperating with all agencies, primarily families needing assistance in West Berkeley. Some of the activities consisted of classes in English, sewing and millinery, as well as interpreting services.

During World War II, the Mobilized Women of Berkeley coordinated with government agencies to conduct Red Cross shelter availability surveys, identification tag registration and distribution, food rationing program, and the sale of war bonds and stamps.

In 1949, Moby established a community center at their headquarters on University Avenue that provided both adult and youth activities, including recreation and camping programs, literacy school, and family rehabilitation and relief work. Through the 1950s and 1960s, they continued with their welfare and community service work in West Berkeley. The women also hosted numerous fund raising activities such as luncheons, teas, and fashion shows to support their wide range of projects.

In 1969, to commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Mobilized Women of Berkeley announced their retirement as an organization. They concluded that their type of service to the community was no longer needed because more government agencies were available to residents. At the same time, the Mobilzed Women of Berkeley decided to hand over the deed for their building to the East Bay Association for Retarded Children (EBARC) because they wanted to give their facilities to another welfare organization to carry on the old traditions in a new way. The disbanded organization formed an auxiliary to assist EBARC in the future. This action disolved the oldest women's service organization in the East Bay.

From the guide to the Mobilized Women of Berkeley records, 1917-1969, (The Bancroft Library)