YWCA

Not to be confused with YMCA.

For other uses, including specific buildings and chapters, see Young Women's Christian Association (disambiguation).

World YWCA

File:World YWCA logo.gif
Founded	1855
Founder	Mary Jane Kinnaird and Emma Robarts
Founded at	London, United Kingdom
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Region	Worldwide
Website	www.worldywca.org www.ywca.org (USA)

The YWCA, or World YWCA, is a movement of women working for social and economic change around the world. It advocates for young women’s leadership, peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development, both on a grassroots and global scale. It is the largest women’s organization in the world, and the second oldest organization of its kind, second only to the Relief Society. The organization is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Originally founded as the Young Women's Christian Association, the abbreviation no longer has that meaning, as their staff and the people they serve are not all young, women, or Christian. The name has been kept to maintain brand equity. The original Christian focus is still strong in many of the national associations, but some have changed their focus to social programs and services and mission-based topics. The YWCA is independent of the YMCA, though many local YMCA and YWCA associations have amalgamated into YM/YWCAs or YMCA-YWCAs, and belong to both organizations while providing the programs of each.

History

1870–1930

The movement that resulted in the World YWCA began in England in 1855 in the midst of the Industrial Revolution and the Crimean War. Founded through the convergence of social activist Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird’s General Female Training Institute, and committed Christian Emma Robarts’ Prayer Union, it sought to be a social and spiritual support system for young English women.

Due to the nature of Kinnaird’s interest in work abroad and the expansiveness of the British Empire, the initiative spread rapidly to western and northern Europe, India, and the United States. The pace and success of the World YWCA movement spoke of a considerable need for the services provided by the association, primarily access to educational and religious classes, hostels for young women, and opportunities for both service and recreation.

Domestic Science course at the YWCA in Montreal, Quebec, 1938.

The first world conference of the YWCA was held in 1898 in London, with 326 participants from seventeen countries from around the world. It was a pivotal point in the founding of the World YWCA, cementing the principles of unity based on service and faith on a global scale.

A YWCA poster from 1919

In the beginning of the twentieth century, a profound shift began to occur within the YWCA. While industrialization had been a founding concern of the association, it had sought primarily to insulate women morally and socially from urban life. During the 1910 World YWCA conference in Berlin, however, the voices of thousands of working women from the United States were heard, and these objectives began to change. A resolution was passed requiring the association to study social and industrial problems, and to educate working women about the "social measures and legislation enacted in their behalf." Thus the social conscience of the YWCA was born into the form that it maintains today.

Until 1930 the headquarters of the World YWCA were in London. The executive committee was entirely British, with an American General Secretary. This policy resulted in a resolutely Anglo-Saxon lens through which the association viewed the world. In 1930, however, the World YWCA headquarters were moved to Geneva, Switzerland, the same city as the newly formed League of Nations. This was both symbolic of the drive to become a more diverse association, and to enable itself to fully participate with other organizations in Geneva (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the YMCA.)

World War II

Girls of the Blue Triangle Service Corps prepare food for an Anglo-American evening party, in Norwich, Norfolk, 1944.

The Second World War both strengthened the YWCAs of the world, and left its mark. Many of its members found it necessary to choose between their conscience and the safety of themselves and their families. In several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, YWCAs were suppressed and disbanded. Throughout occupied Europe, however, women worked relentlessly to construct support systems for their neighbours and refugees, often with exceedingly limited resources.

Shortly after the end of the war, the YWCA worked to fortify the bonds of women throughout the world by holding the first World Council meeting in nearly a decade in Hangzhou in 1947. This was significant in being the first World Council held outside of the West, and further voiced the desire to be an inclusive, worldwide movement. It also served to bring together women who lived in countries that had been enemies during the war, and to raise awareness among the western YWCAs that the ruin of war was not limited to Europe.

During the following decades, the World YWCA spent much time researching and working with the issues of refugees, health, HIV and AIDS, literacy, the human rights of women and girls, the advancement of women and the eradication of poverty; mutual service, sustainable development and the environment; education and youth, peace and disarmament, and young women’s leadership. These issues continue to play an integral role in the World YWCA movement.

YWCAs around the world

The YWCA is present in over 120 countries.

Great Britain

A war poster dating back to 1915 shows a YWCA in the background

The organization (previously YWCA England & Wales), YWCA Scotland, and the independent YWCAs in England form an ‘umbrella’ organisation, YWCA of Great Britain.

England & Wales

YWCA was founded in 1855 in London by two Englishwomen to provide a safe place for young women en route to the Crimean War.

The organisation changed its name to Platform 51 in December 2010 to reflect changing attitudes and to distinguish itself from the YMCA, and because the women and girls who use the charity wanted it. The name reflected the proportion of the world population that are female. The re-branded charity retains affiliations with the national and international YWCA umbrella organisations.

In August 2013 the organization opted to change its name again, from Platform 51 to Young Women’s Trust, and transfer most of its operations to The Cyrenians (now known as Changing Lives).

Activities and services

The organization provides accredited courses and information, advice and guidance to women from disadvantaged communities. Platform 51 helps women to make informed decisions about their lives and maintain healthy relationships. The organisation campaigns with them to change the lives of women in England and Wales. The organization regularly holds events where women are given the opportunity to talk about the things that matter to them. For instance, the Wise Up programme gives girls the ability and confidence address MPs and Ministers, give TV, radio and press interviews, hold functions and deliver group sessions. The participants develop skills in leadership, communication, teamwork and self-motivation.

The services provided for young women include informal educational, information and advice on all manner of things, courses, workshops and drop-in sessions, counselling and one-on-one sessions as well as crèches. YWCA services can be accessed in 14 centres across England & Wales; in Government regions of the South West, London, South East, the East and West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humber in England and in South Wales.

Successes

Recent YWCA campaigns include the More than one rung campaign. It called for help for young women to get skills and training so they can work their way off the bottom rung of the career ladder. The More than one rung campaign led to, amongst other things, an increase in the minimum wage for apprentices from £80 a week to £95 a week. YWCA also undertook the Respect Young Mums campaign which worked towards getting better support for teenage mothers. Since 2004, the YWCA has been campaigning for young mums to get Child Support before pregnancy rather than after the baby is born. As of 2009 mothers were able to claim the Health in Pregnancy Grant from the 25th week of pregnancy (this is similar to a pregnancy premium to Income Support which we called for through Respect Young Mums campaign).

By virtue of its work for the welfare and development of young people, YWCA England & Wales is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).

Australia

The first YWCA in Australia was established in 1880. The organisation advocates for the interests of women and girls and delivers "a diverse range of community programs and services" in both rural and urban Australia.

China

The YWCA in China was established early in the 20th century and became an important venue for social reform and the advancement of women's status. Although the organization was founded by foreign workers, leadership was soon taken over by Chinese women. In the 1920s, YWCA organizer Deng Yuzhi (Cora Deng) was important in organizing women factory workers in Shanghai and supporting the emerging revolutionary forces. The YWCA in China today has associations in Beijing and Shanghai.

US

Main article: YWCA USA

Founded in 1858, YWCA USA has 225 associations nationwide at more than 1,300 sites serving more than 2 million women and families. Associations were configured into 9 regions until 2012, when the YWCA reorganized with a new CEO and eliminated the regional structure system. Regions varied in size from 19 associations (New England) to 60 associations (Great Lakes). The other regions averaged 32 associations each. In 2015, the associations had over 12,000 staff members and 44,000 volunteers. A YWCA logo was created in 1988 by Saul Bass.

Prior to the Civil Rights Movement, some YWCA facilities were segregated or operated as separate organizations. Advocates including Helen L. Seaborg in Washington, D.C. worked successfully to mediate mergers between the segregated groups. Today, YWCA USA works to eliminate racism and empower women.

YWCA USA is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families. YWCA USA associations focus their work in three areas: Racial Justice and Civil Rights, Empowerment and Economic Advancement of Women and Girls, and Health and Safety of Women and Girls.

YWCA USA is the nation's largest provider of domestic violence programs and shelters in the United States, serving well over ½ million women and children. As comparison, the largest national hotline averages 192,000 calls per year. It is one of the top 25 largest charities in the U.S., with total revenues in 2014 of $776 million.

The YWCA of The City of New York, the oldest US YWCA, is 150 years old. That organization is unique in that the organization is guided purely by human service-oriented programs rather than physical services. Such programs include Early Learning Centers, Family Resource Center, Out-of-School Programs, Professional Development Programming, and Women's Employment Programming. Such programs continue the YW mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. They are a major component of the non-profit community in New York City. They produce several fundraising events annually.

Women of Distinction is an awards program started in 2012 and sponsored by the national office of YWCA USA. The award name seems to be borrowed from YMCA Canada.

Canada

Adelaide Hoodless and Agnes Blizzard organized the first Canadian YWCA in two rented rooms in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1870. Other early YWCA were started in Toronto (1873), Montreal (1874), Quebec City and Halifax (both 1875). Hoodless was later a key person in organizing the national body in 1895.

Women of Distinction are awards given to notable women by about 60% of the local chapters of the YWCA in Canada. In addition to honoring women who have made a significant contribution to their community, the award dinners are one of the most important fundraising events for Canadian YWCAs.

Advocacy

Although 'YWCA' is often associated with hostels and fitness centres, the World YWCA sees itself as a human rights-based organization. Many association around the world run hostels, gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities, these activities form part of a strategy to prepare women - particularly young women - for leadership. The World YWCA states its purpose as: "develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice and peace for all people". Providing women with shelter, either from abusive partners or as they migrate to the city, and building young women's confidence through sports and fitness is one of the strategies used in the YWCA movement to build leadership in women.

Since the 1940s the World YWCA has focused on specific global issues including:

Refugees

While the YWCAs had, on various levels, been active with refugees for some time, the issue took a central focus during Israel's War of Independence. The movement officially stated in 1949 that it would ‘maintain its impartial character, meeting human needs without respect to nationality, race, creed or political conviction’ in regard to the need to work with all peoples. Since then there have been programs to provide income and to meet the basic needs of those living in refugee camps, such as adequate healthcare, education and literacy programs, and childcare.

Underpinning refugee work has been the movement for peace and justice. With its policy rooted in the 1920s, the World YWCA has emphasized peace education and justice as an integral part of the movement’s promotion of human rights. The movement officially recognized these concepts as enmeshed during the conference in Singapore in 1983, wherein the statement was made, “No solution can be found for one people at the expense of another,” in regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

HIV and AIDS

During the World YWCA Council in Phoenix, Arizona in 1987, the World YWCA passed a resolution urging the national organizations to implement programs for education for the prevention of the spread of HIV. Today, YWCAs in 70 countries have programs related to HIV, including prevention, advocacy, treatment, care and support, and addressing stigma. The YWCA works closely with HIV-positive women on a grassroots level. Initiatives within the YWCA by HIV-positive women have allowed for the tailoring of programs to meet the specific needs of their communities.

Along with HIV prevention, the World YWCA has strongly promoted access to the female condom. According to a statement made by Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, former General Secretary of the World YWCA (1998 - 2007) “Accelerated female condom distribution and education is essential. HIV infection rates among women are rising disproportionately to men in every region of the world, and young women and girls account for 76% of infections among African youth. And when AIDS affects women, it affects entire families and communities, tearing apart social safety nets and fueling instability and conflict.”

In 2005 the World AIDS Day statement issued by the World YWCA strongly urged national health ministries, other aid agencies, and international NGOs to purchase a minimum of 180 million second-generation female condoms for annual global distribution. The movement also called on governments to ensure that the female condom is marketed to women in local communities and promoted as an effective method to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The World YWCA recently held the first international conference on Women and HIV and AIDS. The International Women's Summit on HIV and AIDS featured speakers from UNAIDS, YWCAs and other global leaders. The Positive Women's Forum, held on the first day, was organised by and for HIV-positive women; over 300 women attended.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development has also been a characterizing priority for the YWCA. In 1987, the World YWCA stated its “extensive commitment to development that empowers women to become decision-makers and community leaders.” The movement has emphasized a gender and human rights approach, acknowledging the exploitative and exclusionary factors that perpetuate the feminisation of poverty.

The World YWCA has been involved in recent global forums on sustainable development and related issues, and is an active member of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a network of churches and ecumenical organisations working for recognition of international human rights, social, and environmental agreements as a priority over trade agreements and policies. There are YWCA programs for sustainable development in 40 countries, ranging from literacy and awareness building of environmental issues in Papua New Guinea to skills building and job training in Peru.

Partner organizations

As a principle of young women’s leadership, the World YWCA is involved with other youth organizations, such as Youth Employment Net, European Youth Forum, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It is also a member of CONGO, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in a Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.

Programmes

YWCA Week Without Violence

Each year during the third week in October, YWCAs worldwide focus on raising awareness on violence against women. The YWCA Week Without Violence was launched in 1995 and has grown from a grassroots initiative into a global movement with women, men and children participating in events in over 20 countries. The Canadian YWCA in particular has a strong program for working with domestic violence. The YWCA is Canada’s largest national network of shelter (45 facilities at 24 sites) and subsidized housing for homeless women and women escaping violence.

The Violence Against Women unit in Shreveport, Louisiana, was formerly directed by the socialite and civic figure Susybelle Lyons. In 1996, she and Marilyn Joiner were co-chairwomen of a $1.1 million capital campaign drive for the Shreveport branch of the YWCA.

YWCA Week of Prayer

Starting in 1904, the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs have issued a joint call to prayer during the Week of Prayer and World Fellowship. During this week, the two movements pray and act together on a particular theme in solidarity with members and partners around the world. The week-long event is a Bible study based on that year’s theme.

World YWCA Day

At the 1947 World Council meeting in Hangzhou, China, the decision was made to establish an Annual YWCA Membership Celebration. The 1947 Council asked the Executive Committee to assume responsibility for the design of the celebration, and in 1948 an Advisory Group of the Executive Committee conducted a survey among nation associations and defined the name, aim and timing of the soon-to-be annual event. World YWCA's Observance Day was born, to help each member see how she could act locally in relation to the theme for the year. The Wednesday or Thursday of the last week of April was chosen as the date for the Observance Day each year.

In 1949 a Planning Group was formed, representing national associations, members of the Executive Committee and the World YWCA staff. Some chosen themes for the Observance Day have been: My Faith and My Work, My Place in the World, My Contribution to World Peace, I Confront a Changing World, Toward One World and My Task in Family Life Today.

In 1972 an Executive Committee decided that the event name would be changed to World YWCA Day and that the theme would be chosen by the Executive Committee from among various programmes decided by the World Council. A 1989 Executive Committee Task Force decided that the date of celebration for World YWCA Day would be April 24.

World YWCA Councils

The most recent World YWCA Council occurred in Nairobi, Kenya in July 2007, where Susan Brennan, an Australian barrister and former co-president of the YWCA of Australia succeeded Mónica Zetzsche, and Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, a UNIFEM programme director and human rights lawyer from Zimbabwe succeeded General Secretary Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro. Notably during this council, the Constitution was revised to offer a more inclusive interpretation of the YWCA’s founding principles.

The first international conference on Women and AIDS was held during the World YWCA Council 2007. The International Women’s Summit on HIV and AIDS discussed women's leadership in HIV and AIDS and featured speakers such as Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS and Mary Robinson. The conference was organized in partnership with the International Community of Women living with HIV (ICW). A ten-point Call to Action was launched at the end of the conference.

The currently ongoing 2015 World YWCA Council is set in Bangkok, Thailand.

Previous World Council venues: 2011

Year	Official name	Country	2011	World YWCA Council	Zurich

Leadership since 1855

Past Presidents

Name	Country	Year
Mrs. J. Herbert Tritton	United Kingdom	1898–1902
Mrs. George Campbell	United Kingdom	1902–1906
Miss Mary Morley	United Kingdom	1906–1910
Mrs. J. Herbert Tritton	United Kingdom	1910–1914
The Hon. Mrs. Montague Weldgrave	United Kingdom	1914–1924
The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Parmoor	United Kingdom	1924–1928
The Hon. Mrs. Montague Weldgrave	United Kingdom	1928–1930
Miss C. M. Van Asch Van Wijck	Netherlands	1930–1938
Miss Ruth Rouse	United Kingdom	1938–1946
Miss C. M. Van Asch Van Wijck	Netherlands	1946–1947
Miss Lilace Reid Barnes	USA	1947–1955
The Hon. Isabel Catto	United Kingdom	1955–1963
Dr. Una B. Porter	Australia	1963–1967
Mrs. Athena Athanassiou	Greece	1967–1975
Dame Nita Barrow	Barbados	1975–1983
Mrs. Ann Northcote	Canada	1983–1987
Dr. Jewel Freeman Graham	USA	1987–1991
Mrs. Razia Ismail Abbasi	India	1991–1995
Mrs. Anita Andersson	Sweden	1995–1999
Ms. Jane Lee Wolfe	USA	1999–2003
Ms Mónica Zetzsche	Argentina	2003–2007
Susan Brenan	Australia	2007-

Past General Secretaries

Name	Country	Year
Miss Annie Reynolds	USA	1894–1904
Miss Clarissa Spencer	USA	1904–1920
Miss Charlotte T. Niven	USA	1920–1935
Miss Ruth Woodsmall	USA	1935–1947
Miss Helen Roberts	United Kingdom	1947–1955
Miss Elizabeth Palmer	USA	1955–1978
Miss Erica Brodie	New Zealand	1978–1982
Mrs. Ruth Sovik	USA	1982–1985
Miss Ellen Clark (acting)	USA	1985–1986
Mrs. Genevieve Jacques (acting)	France	1986–1987
Mrs. Elaine Hesse Steel	New Zealand	1987–1997
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro	Kenya	1998–2007
Mrs. Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda	Zimbabwe	2007–

In popular culture

• The organization is mentioned in The Smiths' song "Half A Person" (a single later released on the compilation album Louder Than Bombs): "I booked myself in at the Y...WCA. I said I like it here — can I stay? I like it here — can I stay? And, do you have a vacancy, for a back-scrubber?"

Bibliography

• Mary S. Sims, The YWCA: An Unfolding Purpose (New York: Woman's Press, 1950)
• Mary S. Sims, The Purpose Widens, 1947-1967 (New York: YWCA, 1969)
• Anna Rice, A History of the World’s Young Women’s Christian Association (New York: Woman’s Press 1947)
• Karen Garner, Global Feminism and Postwar Reconstruction: The World YWCA Visitation to Occupied Japan, 1947
• Carole Seymour-Jones, Journey of Faith: The History of the World YWCA 1945-1994 (London: Allison & Busby 1994)
• Dorothea Browder, A Christian Solution of the Labor Situation: How Workingwomen Reshaped the YWCA's Religious Mission and Politics (Journal of Women’s History, Vol 19, Summer 2007)
• List of other YWCA articles

Archives

• Young Women's Christian Association (University of Washington) Records. 1903-1982. 50.6 cubic feet. At the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

External links

• World YWCA official website
• YWCA Canada official website
• YWCA USA official website
• Catalogue of the British YWCA archives, held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
• Sophia Smith Collection