In the late 1970’s Gretchen Peterson offered her very modest home as the first safe house in Shasta County, she was a 72-year-old widow. For five years, Mrs. Peterson voluntarily sheltered women and their children in her home.

In 1978, the local chapter of the American Association of University Women formed a task force to study the problem of domestic violence in Shasta County and non-profit incorporation papers were filed with the State of California.

In 1979, Shasta Women’s Refuge (SWR) incorporated and began operation as a domestic violence crisis intervention program. In 1982, the shelter, Peterson House, was purchased with the assistance of federal, state and local funds, and in 1987, expanded to its present capacity.

In 1990, the McConnell Foundation donated money to the City of Redding for the construction of the office located in Redding’s nonprofit park at 2280 Benton Drive. SWR was also granted a 25-year lease from the city.