Women’s Building seeks grant funding for window upgrades

The historic Women’s Building in San Francisco’s Mission District is seeking grant funding for much-needed retrofits, organizers said.

Supporters are asking people to vote online to secure up to $150,000 from the Partners in Preservation campaign to retrofit the structure’s windows.

Executive director Teresa Mejia said in a statement:

“Our building is state-of-the-art in its service and respect for women. But our windows are 108 years old!”

The building at 3543 18th St. is known for its colorful MaestraPeace Mural, painted in 1994. But the structure serves tourists and residents alike, according to Noemi Zulberti, facilities director for the Women’s Building.

Zulberti said:

“Neighbors come here to get help with their taxes, continue their recovery or take a yoga class. Visitors from all over the world come here to take pictures of our Maestra Peace Mural. We plan to ask every one of them to vote for us every day of the campaign so we can all continue to enjoy what makes the Mission special.”

Since 1971, the Women’s Building has been guided by the belief that all women and girls have the right to safe, joyous and creative lives, supporters say.

A non-profit hub of nine organizations housed at the building includes Dolores Street Community Services, Mujeres Unidas y Activas and Mission Neighborhood Centers Inc.

The building’s community resource room offers individualized assistance in Spanish and English and is the first place many go when in crisis, according to supporters.

Partners in Preservation is a community-based partnership, created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express, to raise awareness of the importance of preserving historic places and their role in sustaining local communities.

For more information and to vote for the Women’s Building through Oct. 26, people can visit VoteYourMainStreet.org/sanfrancisco, or text votetwb to 484848.