Every March, as Women’s History Month arrives, we are reminded that the story of healthcare and aging in our communities began with women who recognized unmet needs, stepped forward when no one else would, and believed that every person, especially every older adult, deserved dignity, compassion and access to care.
In Cleveland, sisters Tootie McGregor and Sophia McCrosky were among those visionaries. They established the original A. M. McGregor Home as a private residence for “gentlewomen” who could no longer care for themselves. Originally built on the McGregor farm in East Cleveland, the home opened its doors in 1908, offering not only shelter but respect and security at a time when few formal supports for aging women existed.
Similarly, the legacy of the Amasa Stone family, particularly Julia Gleason Stone and Clara Stone Hay, carried forward the family’s philanthropic values and helped shape early charitable and community-care efforts in Cleveland. Their support for social welfare, housing, and community health initiatives contributed to the broader ecosystem of care that would eventually evolve into modern aging services
These women stand alongside other Cleveland trailblazers whose impact continues to resonate. Anna M. Edwards of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging advanced research and services to improve the lives of older adults. Jane Edna Hunter founded the Phillis Wheatley Association, creating safe housing, health programs, and community support for Black women and elders who had been excluded from mainstream services. Their courage and conviction laid the foundation for the innovations we now celebrate in gerontology, community health, and equitable access to care.
Today, women continue to transform elder care and community health in profound ways. Leaders such as Linda Fried, a pioneering geriatrician and advocate for healthy aging, and Marie Bernard, a national voice for equity in aging, are redefining what it means to grow older in America.
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