The story of the Seamen's Widow and Orphan Association captures the unwavering support of women offering assistance to their neighbors and to the ongoing ebb and flow of life in their Salem Community for almost 200 years.From its beginning in 1833, when it was created to serve the widows and orphans of men who sailed the seven seas, SWOA has continuously worked behind the scenes to assist women and children left without support. Could the original founders have predicted how far into the future their intentions would reach?SWOA was one of many charitable and moral reform societies and associations that popped up in cities all across the United States. Most have vanished. This Association has independently navigated the waves of changing times and today continues to provide lifelines, its time-tested "friendly visits" and assistance by women who recognize and respond to the needs of the less fortunate who might otherwise be underserved and overlooked.