Our History

What is now White-Williams Scholars was founded in 1800 as the Magdalen Society. Its mission of helping at-risk females persisted for over a century. After the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania became concerned with "the rehabilitation of delinquent girls," the Magdalen Society board voted in 1918 to adjust the mission "to provide direction and assistance to steer children away from trouble." The Society also adopted a new name: the White-Williams Foundation, after its first president, Episcopal Bishop William White, and a later president, Quaker merchant George Williams. White-Williams Scholars is a private, independent 501(c)(3) organization and is not associated with any organization of a similar name.

In 1918 White-Williams Scholars pioneered the concept of in-school counseling and hired the first counselors for public and parochial elementary and secondary schools. The organization initiated several other services—including vocational guidance and placement, nutritional instruction, and teacher training in social work—which were eventually absorbed by the schools. White-Williams Scholars' non-profit 501(c)(3) status was first established in 1949 and most recently renewed in 2002.

In 1994 we became known as White-Williams Scholars. Our current mission is to prepare academically high achieving Philadelphia public high school students of limited financial means with a foundation for success in college.

• About White-Williams
• Mission and Organization Overview
• Our History
• Trustees and Staff