Evening star., 1932-01-31
BY MARY KUHNS BAYLY,


Honorary President Of the Young women's
1sO7-l92D.
A WHITE HOUSE conference in
" 1907 attended by 125 prominent
~ women of the Capital, upon in
4 vitation of President Theodore
Roosevelt, who addressed them
earnestly upon the value and impor-
tance of the recently established Young
Womens Christian Association in the
District of Columbia, and then asked
them what he personally could do ito
help the girls was the real beginning
of the success of the local association.
Just prior to 1907 the launching of
the work in Washington was made pos
sible through the generosity of two well
known New York women-MrS. j. Fin
ley Shepherd, who at the time was Miss
Helen Gould, and Miss Grace Dodge,
the then president of the national board,
the former assuming the first years
rent Of a building at the corner OF
Twelfth and F streets, and the latter
paying the salary of a general Secre-
tary of the new organization. One of
WaShington's distinguished citizens, the
late A. NJ. Lothrop, paid the rent Of the
headquarters" for the second year.
Then, in December, 1907, just as the
new year was coming in, this young
Y. w. C. A. had the distinction of open
ing the first cafeteria ever operated in
this city. Located at 636 E street
northwest, 1t was success from the
start, and gained many friends and
supporters among all groups of people
in the city.
Vice President Aids Drive.
Some six years later, following the
lead of President Roosevelt, Vice PreSi-
dent Thomas r. Marshall became keenly
interested IN the work, and, sending for
Mrs. Bayly who at that time was presi-
dent of the board of directors, he told
her he would like to address a mass
meeting some Sunday afternoon in be-
half of the work here The mass meet
ing was held in the Belasco Theater.
The Vice President addressed capacity
audience. and again the Y. w. c. A.
profited by such distinguished publicity.
There are other striking instances of
the confidence that high officials of the
United States Government had in our
organization. Soon after the entrance
of our country into the World War, Sec
retary of War Newton D. Baker and
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
sent for me and told me the Govern
ment would shortly be calling hundreds
VI Bll lS 1IOIll dl1 OFcl Ille W dld
in the war work in the Capital City.
They said they looked to the Young
Women's Christian Association to take
care of that difficult situation, and
definitely asked us to see that the girls
we're properly housed upon their arrival
in the city.
1t was a tremendous challenge, but
we felt we must meet it. and I think
we did.
Churches Make Appeal.
Every appointment made by the
Government contained a printed card
asking the girls, upon arrival in the
city, to go at once to the Y. w. c. A.,
where they would be assigned to suit
able rooms At the same time, through
the churches of the city. an appeal
was made to people to register with
the association every available ROOM
and we soon had desirable homes for
the oncoming rush of the hundreds of
girls.
Not only were the girls taken care
of upon arrival, but many anxious
parents who had viewed with grave
apprehension the welfare Of their
daughters in Washington during the