Up until 1790, women did not run their own charities. They donated to charities run by men, and were criticized for engaging in leading roles. But by focusing on the needs of other women and children, they were able to bypass this. Eliza and her comrades, Isabella Graham and Sarah Hoffman, founded one of these early, women-led charities.
Homelessness was a huge problem for children. Many parents either died or were unable to care for their children, leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets. Children were taken to almshouses, where they got little education and had to work for food. What the city really needed was an orphanage, which is where Eliza and her comrades come in.
The orphanage was called the Orphan Asylum Society. It started out small. In its first year, it accommodated 16 children. But by the next year, Eliza and other activists were able to raise $25,000 to build a bigger building, and they were able to help many more.
Eliza eventually became the organization's vice president, and it had become a well known charity. Eliza was recognized for her outstanding work as a philanthropic leader. She stayed for many years in this position, until stepping down in 1848. She died six years later, at the astonishing age of 97. She had overseen the care of almost 800 children.
Even though Eliza had passed away, her legacy lived on in the orphanage. Existing today as a much bigger foundation, known as Graham Windham, it continues to help orphaned children and families.