MENU History HomeWho We AreHistory A A+ 150 Years of Service These words were taken from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History published in 1987: “For decades the activities of the YWCA became the prototype for a number of other women’s organizations. Programs that became centerpieces of social settlement houses – expanded for mothers and children – were modeled on classes and services first offered by the YWCA.” YWCA Greater Cleveland is not only a storied organization, but more importantly, the YWCA is an organization that others look to for ideas, for guidance, and for help. Our mission statement describes what we do, who we do it for, and how and why we do it. While the mission has evolved, this powerful phrase, from the 1850 statement, has remained constant: “Peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.” From its inception, the YWCA has worked to empower women. Soon thereafter, eliminating racism—wherever it exists, by any means necessary—became a part of our core as well. YWCA Greater Cleveland leaders are continuing to tackle barriers related to gender, age, class, race, and all forms of discrimination. In 2018, YWCA Cleveland marked 150 years of service. A cause for celebration of goals achieved and lessons learned was also a time for rededication. We continue to work with invigorated effort to ensure a future where family and youth homelessness are rare and brief; where racial disparities are eliminated; where the leadership of women is valued and promoted. Our past is rich with stories of impact and change, with real achievement in empowering women and eliminating racism. Throughout our history, YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women. 1858 The first Association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association, was formed in New York City 1860 The first boarding house for female students, teachers and factory workers opened in New York, N.Y. 1866 “YWCA” was first used in Boston, Mass. 1868 *YWCA Greater Cleveland Founded 1872 YWCA opens the first employment bureau in New York City 1874 YWCA opens a low-cost summer “resort” for employed women in Philadelphia, Pa. 1889 The first African-American YWCA branch opened in Dayton, Ohio 1890 The first YWCA for Native American women opened in at Haworth Institute in Chilocco, Okla. 1894 The United States of America, England, Sweden and Norway together created World YWCA, which today is working in over 125 countries 1906 YWCA was the first organization to introduce the positive health concept and sex education in all health programming 1907 YWCA of the USA incorporated in New York City 1908 YWCA was the first industrial federation of clubs to train girls in self-government 1915 YWCA held the first interracial conference in Louisville, Ky. 1918 YWCA was the first organization to send professional workers overseas to provide administrative leadership and support to U.S. Armed Forces 1920 Based on its work with women in industrial plants, the YWCA Convention voted to work for “an eight-hour/day law, prohibition of night work, and the right of labor to organize” 1921 Grace Dodge Hotel completed construction of a Washington, D.C. residence initially designed to house women war workers 1934 YWCA encouraged members to speak out against lynching and mob violence, and for interracial cooperation and efforts to protect African Americans’ basic civil rights 1938 YWCA in Columbus, Ohio, establishes a desegregated dining facility and is cited by The Columbus Urban League “for a courageous step forward in human relations.” 1942 YWCA extends its services to Japanese American women and girls incarcerated in World War II Relocation Centers 1944 The National Board appears at the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate hearings in support of permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee legislation 1946 Interracial Charter adopted by the 17th National Convention 1949 The National Convention pledges that YWCA will work for integration and full participation of minority groups in all phases of American life 1955 National Convention commits local Associations and the National Board to review progress towards inclusiveness and decides on “concrete steps” to be taken 1960 The Atlanta, Ga., YWCA cafeteria opened to African Americans, becoming the city’s first integrated public dining facility 1965 The National Board of YWCA created the Office of Racial Justice to lead the civil rights efforts 1970 The YWCA National Convention, held in Houston, adopted the One Imperative: “To trust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary” 1972 YWCA started the ENCORE program for women who had undergone breast cancer surgery 1982 YWCA establishes Fund For The Future 1983 YWCA National Board urges Congress to support legislation that opposes the South African policy of apartheid 1992 YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism began in response to the beating of Rodney King, an African American man, the acquittal of four white Los Angeles police officers accused of the crime, and the subsequent riots and unrest across the country 1995 YWCA Week Without Violence was created as a nationwide effort to unite people against violence in communities. The annual observance is held the third week of October 2001 Steps to Absolute Change was adopted. YWCA shifted from a top down to a bottom up grassroots organization. Local associations joined regions and elected their regional representatives to the National Coordinating Board 2004 Igniting the Collective Power of YWCA to Eliminate Racism, YWCA USA’s Summit on Eliminating Racism, was held in Birmingham, Ala. 2008 YWCA celebrates its Sesquicentennial Anniversary, 150 years of service, with the launch of the “Own It” campaign. The campaign focused on igniting a new generation of 22 million young women aged 18 to 34, inspiring them to get involved with important issues facing women and the country today 2012 At the YWCA Annual Meeting in May 2012, a transition from the prior regional structure to a national federated structure was approved, followed by the adoption of new bylaws in November 2012. Over 2 million people participate in YWCA programs at more than 1,300 sites across the United States. Globally, YWCA reaches 25 million 2013 YWCA USA transitions from an internal national coordinating board to a new board of directors driven by women of influence as well as YWCA leaders. 2015 YWCA USA develops a Mission Impact Framework and Theory of Change to focus and clarify our diverse body of work in racial justice and civil rights, women and girls’ health and safety, and women and girls’ empowerment and economic advancement. Stand Against Racism becomes a signature campaign of YWCA USA reaching over 700 locations across the country. The corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”, effective December 15, 2015. 2016 YWCA launches the YWCA Is On A Mission brand awareness campaign to deepen YWCA’s impact in local communities and on the national scale. 2018 YWCA Greater Cleveland takes over management of Norma Herr Women’s Center. 2019 YWCA Greater Cleveland implements its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, emphasizing the fierce urgency of now in supporting women and girls, espeically women and girls of color. 2021 YWCA Greater Cleveland becomes a recipient of YWCA USA’s Excellence Award for Racial Justice in recognition of exemplary and innovative programming and advocacy. How Our Programs Have Changed Early Childhood Education Housing & Supportive Services Advocacy and System Change Racial Justice Women’s Leadership Early Childhood Education In 1882, YWCA of Cleveland established Day Nurseries around the city, and by 1893 was providing day care for over 11,000 children. These early centers were decades ahead of their peers, and catalyzed day care services across the country, in hundreds if not thousands of sites. Today, our Early Learning Center offers trauma-informed and high-quality pre-school education to children ages 3-5—all from homeless or otherwise vulnerable families. In its first two years of operation from 2014-2016, only 3% of families returned to homelessness each year, and none of the parents lost parental rights. 75% of participating parents (compared to 45% at outset) reported having significant social connections with their children; none reported school expulsions. 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