A History in Placemaking

The Center began as the Victory Club, located at Baker and Lombard and established to serve Black soldiers stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco. Ms. Mary D. McCants Stewart served as executive secretary, planning programs and enlisting volunteers. She screened young women to be “Minute Girls” to support the program, promoting wholesome, chaperoned interaction between soldiers and women who would be available in a "minute" to entertain troops. The War Camp Community Service program, which provided support and education to young servicemen, excluded African Americans.  The Victory Club, funded by excess War Camp Community funds filled a critical gap in support for Black military personnel who could not access assistance from segregated agencies like the Red Cross, YMCA, and YWCA.