Bisbee daily review., 1914-03-01
Y w. A. Meets Need Of Those Seeking Social Comfort
BY MRS. c. s. THOMPSON.

'''ONNf 1OlNs
 Some time during the month of July 1907, happened to be seated at the same table in the hotel during lunch with two young women, both strangers to me. In chance conver- sation which sprang up. learned that one Of the young women, who was not very strong. felt very keenly the lack of anything like real home or good social lie for young womeL who were here alone. dependent on their own efitrts for a living. l re. member very well some of the things she said about poor food and housing, high costs and loneliness. Finally, she remarked that Miss Grace Dodge ore of the members Of the Dodge fam fly which is interested in this camp, was President of the National [. W. C. A, and she said that she had eith- CT writteL, or was about to write to her explaining the situation. She said that she felt sure a Y. W. C. X. would help to supply the needs of such women as herself in Bisbee, and she hoped that Miss Dodge would person. ally interested herself in establishing an association here.
 The hope of this young woman, whom many of you remember as Miss Mary EchCls. now Mrs Edward Kur- meier, Of Jerome, were very soon realized, whether because of her un- aided effort or through the interest of others or because such a movement had previously been contemplated at National r. w C. A. headquarters, do not know. However that may be in September. 1908, Miss Katherine Meyer was sent by the National Board to be here year, look over the ground. and take steps to organize local Y. w. C. A. Her first public appearance. was as I remember it, a mass meeting held at the Y. M. C. A. at which she spoke in behalf of the Y. W. C. A. There was also present at this meeting a field secretary Of the Y. NJ. C. A wbo spoke also in be- half of both associations. There was a large attendance at this meeting and a good deal of enthusiasm mani fested. Afterwards there were good many neighborhood meetings held throughout the fall, in crder to inter est the women in different parts oi the district .,...
 In the January following Miss Me F,rov. hel5 Secretary for the Terri torial Board which had Jurisdiction ever Arizona, together with California and Nevada. came here from Los An geles. the headquarters of the Ter ritorial Board. She explained clearly at different meetings the details ol the work, it's scope, functions of the Beard of Directors, committees, etc
 A temporary advisory board was formed about this time consisting oi twelve women and the same number of men whose names l do not now recall, Mrs. George Buxton, who was interested in this work, much to tho benefit of the Association, long as she lived here, and who still is ar honorary member of the Board, wal one Of them.
 At that time it was hopes that Y. w. c. A. building would be bull immediately, and the work begun al once on large lines, help having heer promised from New York. If the com munity would shcw sufficient interes tc raise a substantial sum. But thu movement was very new, and the tim' was one of marked financial depres sion, so that it soon proved that suci an undertaking would be impossible