Women’s History Month: Honoring the Founders of Hopkins House

ESSAY
By J. Glenn Hopkins, President/CEO, Hopkins House

March is Women’s History Month, and we proudly honor the visionary women who established Hopkins House in 1939. Hopkins House was founded by a group of six women (and six men who we will tell you more about in a future article). These women were dedicated community leaders whose commitment to education, civic engagement, and opportunity for young people helped shape one of Alexandria’s most enduring institutions.

The shared vision of these six remarkable women was simple but powerful: a strong community depends on strong families, and young people thrive when they have access to educational opportunity, mentorship, and community support. More than eight decades later, that vision continues to guide Hopkins House.

The Women Who Helped Build Hopkins House

• Edith L. Allen was known for her commitment to community improvement and educational opportunity. She was highly organized and devoted to her community and especially young people. 

• Helen Lumpkins Day was a beloved educator who taught for 46 years in Alexandria City Public Schools. Affectionately known as “Miss Helen,” she devoted her life to the education and well-being of Alexandria’s children. In recognition of her extraordinary civic leadership, the Helen Day Post Office on Wythe Street was later named in her honor. She also served on the Hopkins House Board of Trustees, helping guide the organization’s early growth.

• Connie Chissell was an active civic participant in Alexandria whose commitment to youth development and neighborhood improvement helped support the early mission of Hopkins House.

• Margaret E. Evans contributed to the organization’s formation through her dedication to community service and her belief in expanding opportunities for families and young people.

• Alma P. Murray was known for her civic engagement and commitment to strengthening community institutions that supported children and families.

• Evelyn Johnson Williams was a community activist committed to the belief that access to education and supportive community programs could transform the lives of young people.

A Legacy That Endures

Together, these six women laid the foundation for an organization that would become a cornerstone of community life in Alexandria. Through their vision, Hopkins House continues to work to build and sustain an inclusive community by investing in children and youth and supporting families. Their legacy is this remarkable institution that continues to transform lives today. Their vision and commitment to service remain at the heart of our work more than eighty years later.

Today, Hopkins House continues to advance that founding vision through programs that support early childhood education, workforce development, and family stability. As the organization celebrates Women’s History Month, it is especially fitting to honor the leadership of the women whose dedication helped launch Hopkins House and whose legacy continues to shape the organization’s mission today.

Through their vision and service, these founders of Hopkins House left a lasting mark on Alexandria, one that continues to this day to benefit children, youth, and families across the community.