ABOUT GERTRUDE (January 30, 1937 – April 25, 2023)

Nashville native Gertrude Caldwell’s dedication to the women, children, and families of Middle Tennessee was unrivaled. From the moment she was invited to join the YWCA Board of Directors in the 1970’s, she has dedicated her energy to the concept that all women in our community should be safe, self-sufficient, and successful.

Long before the crisis of domestic violence was widely acknowledged, Gertrude and the leadership of YWCA recognized how pervasive this problem was within our own community and began working to address it. The YWCA opened the city’s first domestic violence shelter and added programming for newly divorced women and at-risk girls. When federal funding for these programs was slated to be cut, Gertrude traveled to Washington, D.C. to convince the late Senator Howard Baker and his colleagues to vote for continued funding. She was successful, and YWCA is now the largest provider of domestic violence services in Tennessee.

For decades as a volunteer, employee, and donor, Gertrude Caldwell gracefully and quietly championed the cause of YWCA. We were honored to name our Legacy Society after her in 1995, and trust that you will be inspired by her devotion to our cause and join this effort. We are delighted to ensure that the Gertrude Caldwell legacy continues in perpetuity.

GCLS Membership

(an asterisk * indicates the individual has passed away)

Beth Boord
Gertrude S. Caldwell*
Ruth L. Cate*
Laura W. Cooke*
Virginia T. Craig*
Delta C. Davis*
Carole V. Ferguson*
Harriet H. Foley*
Barbara Leake Glasgow*
Mrs. B.B. Gullett*
Shirley M. Harvey*
Adelaide Hohanness*
Oja Juanita Holt*
Heloise W. Kuhn*
Martha D. Lagerquist*
Candy M. McCampbell
Carol McSwiney*
Mrs. Marta Roberts
Linda Bell Sims*
Susan M. Spickard
Cynthia Whitfield-Story
Mary Ann Sugg*
Dianna D. Tomlin*
Robert and Ruth Warner*
Sue Fort White
Paula R. Wilson*