The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-03-06
Roanoke's YWCA Changes Name
E d / T o R IAL)

Added to the improvements of the character-buld-
ing institutions among Negroes in the city of Roanoke
is the newly erected hundred thousand dollar YWCA
building. There is nothing more encouraging than to
see Negroes keeping wh the rapid growth of our
proud city Certainly the erection of an ultra modern
VIVA building is thing that everybody is proud Of
The YWCAs program of spiritual, mental and physical
guidance offered young one which merits the
whoiehearted approval and support of every citizen in
the city and surrounding communities. To people who
are familiar with the activities of the "Y" the YWCA
sign is trade mark for interested in wholesome
recreation and Christian fellowship 1t is friendly home
Tor Christian young women in need of home and its
personnel is composed of of the best trained and
representative women of the city Therefore, of this
group OF volunteer and paid workers engaged in charac
terbuding much is expected by the public One has said
the whittier the cloth the easier the stain That slogan
can easily be applied to the YWCA.
In recent Jubilaton moving into their new "Y'
nome which far exceled the imagination many of their
loyal and faithful workers. someone cooked up the idea
OF having everything including the name Since the
very word new usually carries with some degree of
magic charm it appears that the idea swept through the
committee of management with practically dissension
A few days ago article appeared in the daily
papers that the name had been changed from Lula Will
hams Branch to Orange Avenue YWCA 1t also stated
that the chosen primarily because better
identified the location of the "Y"
There many of us who feel that new orpani
zatlon could well afford to bear name Indicating it's
location but certainly such is not of the Lula Will
lams Branch. We have not forgotten if others have
how in 1916 drive to raise funds clear up an
indebtedness against the "Y" which was mortgage of
$1,000, that certain citizen c. c. Williams to be spec
flc, came to the with that thousand dollars as
donation Al his request Che was changed 30 ROTOR
his deceased wife who was charter member of the
committee of management
There several facts in this case which seemingly
have been overlooked In the first place the naming
the institution Lula Williams Branch" was in reality
verbal agreement between the institution and Mr. Will
lams the donor. The proposition agreed upon by
parties OF both parts Notwithstanding the that no
time limit for retaining that stipulated in the
agreement it not unfortunate that the donor had to
learn through the columns of the daily newspapers that
the name had been changed?
Secondly Will not acts of this kind tend to discour-
others who might be inclined to make sizeabe con-
tributions to public supported institutions whether
of time influence money? 1t has been authenticity re-
ported to that Mr. Williams planning to donate
another thousand at the dedication of the new YWCA
building. We have to grind but doubt seriously
if he still be inclined to make such generous con-
ribution when little consideration was given to the
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