housemothers
Residence hall guardians
Housemothers is the plural of housemother—a woman employed to supervise and care for residents of a group living arrangement, typically a dormitory, sorority house, or residential facility for children.
The role combines maternal oversight with administrative duties: enforcing rules, offering guidance, and maintaining domestic order.
The housemothers met weekly to discuss student concerns.
Student living building
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- boarding schoolResidential academic institution
- residence hallCampus building for student housing
- curfewMandated return time
live-in · matron · warden · students · residents · lodgers · quarters · boarders
Institution housing parentless children
- children's homeResidential facility for minors
- group homeSupervised shared residence
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
- residential facilityBuilding for long-term occupancy
youth shelter · reform school · wards · supervision · staff · administration · caretaker · welfare officer
Supportive care-giving
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- supportTo uphold or sustain
welfare · comfort · discipline · advice · meals · homesickness · pastoral care · emotional support
dormitory
Student living building
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
- boarding schoolResidential academic institution
- residence hallCampus building for student housing
curfew · live-in · matron · warden · students · residents · lodgers · quarters · boarders · overnight
orphanage
Institution housing parentless children
- children's homeResidential facility for minors
- group homeSupervised shared residence
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
residential facility · youth shelter · reform school · wards · supervision · staff · administration · caretaker · welfare officer · social services
nurturing
Supportive care-giving
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
support · welfare · comfort · discipline · advice · meals · homesickness · pastoral care · emotional support · surrogate
housemotherswardens
Supervisory officials of institutions
deans · headmasters · headmistresses · administrators · principals