Category: Charity and Philanthropy

PORTER, NANCY LYON

PORTER, NANCY LYON (9 June 1921-26 Sept. 1996), was a career volunteer and tireless advocate for children, families and the elderly. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, to George Hale and Winifred (Hart) Lyon, she was raised in Cleveland where Mr. Lyon headed a major automobile dealership. Porter earned her B.A. in sociology and psychology from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1943.

POUTNEY, RICHARD IRVING

POUTNEY, RICHARD IRVING (28 Feb. 1927-24 Jan. 1993) was the founder of the West Side Institute of Technology and a leader in vocational training. He was also president and chairman of the board of the Stella Maris Home (see STELLA MARIS DETOX CENTER) where he counseled recovering alcoholics.

PRENTISS FOUNDATION

PRENTISS FOUNDATION. See ELISABETH SEVERANCE PRENTISS FOUNDATION.

PRENTISS, ELISABETH SEVERANCE ALLEN

PRENTISS, ELISABETH SEVERANCE ALLEN (16 Nov. 1865-4 Jan. 1944) was a generous benefactress of educational, art, and medical causes. Recipients of her gifts included St.

PRENTISS, FRANCIS FLEURY

PRENTISS, FRANCIS FLEURY (22 Aug. 1858-1 Apr. 1937), founder of Cleveland Twist Drill Co. (see ACME-CLEVELAND) and philanthropist, was born in Montpelier, Vt., son of Joseph Addison and Rebecca Loomis Prentiss. Growing up in Winona, Minn, Prentiss worked as a bank clerk before moving to Cleveland in 1879.

PRETERM, INC.

PRETERM, INC., established on 15 Mar. 1974, is a nonprofit medical clinic run by WOMEN for women to provide abortion counseling, abortions, contraceptives, education and outreach, with care and sensitivity. Founded following the 1973 legalization of abortion, by 1975 Preterm offices were open 3 days a week and offered abortion counseling, abortions, breast examinations, and Pap smears.

PRITCHARD, D. JAMES

PRITCHARD, D. JAMES (12 Apr. 1908-20 Aug. 1998) was a bank executive and public relations director who was heavily involved in promoting education in the community. He was born in Lisbon, Ohio, to Floy (McCausland) and David R. Pritchard, an accountant. He came to Cleveland as a child and lived in the Glenville area before moving to EAST CLEVELAND.

PROGRESSIVE SLOVENE WOMEN OF AMERICA

PROGRESSIVE SLOVENE WOMEN OF AMERICA (Progresivne Slovenke Amerike), was formed in 1934 to assist Cleveland Slovenian families afflicted by the Depression. Early activities included hosting speakers from welfare agencies and home-nursing classes by the AMERICAN RED CROSS.

PROHIBITION AMENDMENT

The PROHIBITION AMENDMENT, outlawing the manufacture, transport, and sale of alcoholic beverages, was enforced in Ohio 27 May 1919-23 Dec. 1933—nearly 8 months longer than the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and its enforcing Volstead Act. When state prohibition began in 1919, most Cleveland liquor dealers either sold or stored their stocks and closed, or sold nonalcoholic drinks. About 50 of 1,028 bars stayed open.

PROHIBITION PARTY

The PROHIBITION PARTY in Cleveland was organized in 1869 when local TEMPERANCE Republicans led by Geo. P. Burwell nominated a slate of candidates for the Mar. 1869 municipal elections, including Grove Abbey. Abbey received 1,049 votes, approximately 9% of the total votes cast for mayor.

PROJECT EVE

PROJECT EVE (Education, Volunteerism, & Employment), founded in 1976, was a pioneer effort to bring women into the workforce.

PROJECT FRIENDSHIP

PROJECT FRIENDSHIP. See BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER MOVEMENT.

PROSPECT CLUB

PROSPECT CLUB. See WOMEN'S PROTECTIVE ASSN.

PROSSER, DILLON

PROSSER, DILLON (2 July 1813-11 Apr. 1897), a Methodist leader and pioneer in social work as founder of the "Ragged School," was born in Otsego County, N.Y., at 17 was licensed to "exhort," and after 2 years at Western Reserve Seminary, received a license to preach in 1833.

PROSTITUTION

PROSTITUTION has flourished in Cleveland since its founding, despite periodic outbursts of civic outrage and police activity directed toward its elimination.

PROTESTANT BIG BROTHERS

PROTESTANT BIG BROTHERS. See BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER MOVEMENT.

PUBLIC HOUSING

PUBLIC HOUSING. As early as the 1810s, visitors to Cleveland commented on the wretched housing conditions. After the CIVIL WAR, as thousands of European immigrants were attracted to the growing city by opportunities for work, Cleveland's slums grew along with its population.

PUBLIC HOUSING CORP.

PUBLIC HOUSING CORP. See PUBLIC HOUSING.

PUTNAM, MILDRED OLIVE ANDREWS AND PETER ANDREWS PUTNAM

PUTNAM, MILDRED OLIVE ANDREWS (19 June 1890/92-13 April 1984) and PETER ANDREWS PUTNAM (1925-1987) were art benefactors and philanthropists who funded numerous notable causes, including three projects in Sandusky, Ashtabula and Franklin and Pickaway Counties, Ohio, and who left a $37 million bequest in their wills to the Nature Conservancy, the largest non-profit land preservation group in the world.

RAGGED SCHOOL

RAGGED SCHOOL. See CLEVELAND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY.

RAINEY INSTITUTE

The RAINEY INSTITUTE, founded in 1904 as a settlement house, encourages self-confidence and self-discipline among HOUGH-area residents through music, dance and other arts programs. Eleanor B.

RANKIN, ALFRED M.

RANKIN, ALFRED M. (19 July 1913-23 Jan. 1994), a corporate and estate lawyer by profession, was best known for his extensive commitments to community service, and especially for his work on behalf of the CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA.

RAPID RECOVERY PROGRAM

RAPID RECOVERY PROGRAM. See CLEAN-LAND, OHIO.

RATNER, MAX

RATNER, MAX (26 Dec. 1907-31 May 1995), a business executive, Jewish community leader, and philanthropist was born Meyer Ratowczer, the son of Moishe and Pesha (Koppelman) Ratowczer in Bialystok, Russia (now Poland). He attended German- and Hebrew-sponsored schools in Bialystok. In 1920 he and his family, emigrated to America, following the lead of his brother Charles.

RAWSON, BARBARA HAAS

RAWSON, BARBARA HAAS (28 Dec. 1918-21 Sept. 1990) was a prominent woman executive long active in civic and political affairs. She helped establish the Greater Cleveland Associated Foundation, which later merged with the CLEVELAND FOUNDATION. She was also the first woman appointed to the newly-created Ohio Ethics Commission.