Leaders in Equality For More Than a Century.
We are proud of our legacy as pioneers of race relations and the empowerment of women. Throughout our history, the 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. Here's how it all began at the national and local levels. Our local history is highlighted in our signature color - persimmon.
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.
1872
The YWCA opens the first employment bureau in New York City
1874
The 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 the World YWCA, which today is working in over 125 countries
1906
The 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
The YWCA was the first industrial federation of clubs to train girls in self-government
1915
The YWCA held the first interracial conference in Louisville, Ky.
1917
Founding of Young Women’s Christian Association of Palm Beach County
1918
The 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
The 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
The 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
The YWCA extends its services to Japanese American women and girls incarcerated in World War II Relocation Centers
1943
Incorporation by IRS of YWCA of Palm Beach County
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
Group of black women in West Palm Beach first met to form a YWCA Branch serving black women and children
1947
First black Y-Teen club in Palm Beach County formed
1949
The National Convention pledges that the 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
1957
YWCA of Palm Beach County Branch building purchased and opened on Sapodilla in West Palm Beach. Later became known as the Mamie Adair Branch of the YWCA
1960
The Atlanta, Ga., YWCA cafeteria opened to African Americans, becoming the city’s first integrated public dining facility
1965
The National Board of the 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
The YWCA started the ENCORE program for women who had undergone breast cancer surgery
1975
YWCA of Palm Beach County opened first domestic violence shelter in county
1982
YWCA establishes Fund For The Future
1983
The YWCA National Board urges Congress to support legislation that opposes the South African policy of apartheid
1992
The 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
1993
YWCA of Palm Beach County opened the Mary Rubloff YWCA Harmony House – a domestic violence shelter located on 3.5 acres in undisclosed location
1995
The 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
1997
YWCA of Palm Beach County sold residential and activities building at 9th and Olive in West Palm Beach to Palm Beach Atlantic University
YWCA of Palm Beach County opened child development center in Royal Palm Beach and transitional housing for homeless women and their children in Belle Glade
2001
"Steps to Absolute Change" was adopted. The 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 the YWCA to Eliminate Racism", the YWCA USA’s Summit on Eliminating Racism, was held in Birmingham, Ala.
2005
YWCA of Palm Beach County instituted Y-Girls program for 8-13 year old girls in predominately minority and underserved communities
2008
The 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
2011
Today over 2 million people participate in YWCA programs at more than 1,300 sites across the United States. Globally, the YWCA reaches 25 million women and girls in 125 countries
2014
YWCA Palm Beach County held first annual “Stand Against Racism” luncheon
2015
YWCA of Palm Beach County closed the transitional housing program in Belle Glade and opened a Rapid Re-housing program for female victims of domestic violence and their children
2016
YWCA of Palm Beach County established Y-Teens program at high schools in the Glades
2018
YWCA of Palm Beach County closed its Royal Palm Beach Child Development Center, leaving its Child Development Center on Sapodilla to serve the community.
