Abby’s‎ House 20th Anniversary Cookbook 1976-1996

Abby's House is named for Abigail Kelley Foster, 1811-1887. Abby Foster taught in several Massachusetts towns before moving to Worcester, Where she spoke out at first against slavery. During her last 40 years, she spoke powerfully for women's rights, facing hostility and often sleeping outside because she was refused shelter. We know that she would be honored to have Abby's House named for her. And would be proud of the work it has done since 1976, when it was founded by Annette Rafferty with enough money for only two month's rent of the building at 21-23 Crown St. Abby's House is many things to many women. On the surface, it provides emergency shelter, food and clothing for women with and without children; one building provides long-term housing for women alone; and the building currently under renovation will provide 2-bedroom apartments for women with children. But more than that, Abby's House is a home or place of gathering that provides physical and emotional comfort for residents and volunteers who become life-long friends devoted to the care and support that Abby's House provides.  Mission Statement: We believe in empowering women to lead self-directed lives filled with dignity and hope. By offering warm hospitality, we seek to be in relationships of caring and support for one another. In naming the oppression of poverty and abuse that exists in women's lives, we strive to create change.