OUR HISTORY
150 YEARS OF SERVICE
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.
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.”
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,
1868
On November 21st, what is today known as YWCA Greater Cleveland is founded as the Women’s Christian Association of Cleveland on the corner of Superior and W. 3rd St.
One of the earliest such groups in the country, YWCA promoted the welfare of the growing numbers of self-supporting women in cities across the United States.
With a population of 43,000, Cleveland becomes the 7th city in the country to found a YWCA offering memberships for one dollar.
1876
Home for Aged Protestant Women is built and endowed as a gift to the YWCA, "to give old age the security it deserves, the care it needs, and the atmosphere of love and refinement it enjoys."
Located at 194 Kennard (East 46th) Street between Garden (Central) and Cedar Streets in today's University Circle, the Home for Aged Women served eighty-eight elderly women between 1877 and 1896, during YWCA's operation.
Late 1800s
YWCA expands supportive services around the area.
Opens the Rest Cottage in Rocky River, providing young women with home-like board for $1.50 weekly. This becomes the pioneer girls camp in Cleveland.
Establishes an extensive education department, including a library, with the goal of advancing women’s education.
Runs operations of the Eliza Jennings Home for chronically ill and aged women, which is still independently operated today.
1882
Establishing our dedication to childhood education & education advocacy.
The Young Ladies branch of YWCA Cleveland is founded to open day nurseries around the city.
For 50 cents per day, food, clothing, medical care, and a safe place were offered to young children while their mothers worked.
The branch soon began founding kindergartens to aid in children's character formation. These same women went on to successfully lead the charge to advocate for the inclusion of kindergarten in the Cleveland Public School system.
1920
Marie Remington Wing serves as YWCA Cleveland’s industrial secretary, working with factory girls to improve their education.
Wing becomes general secretary of the national YWCA branch and helps influence the YWCA Convention’s vote to adopt “an eight-hour-per-day law, prohibition of night work, and the right of labor to organize.”
In 1923, Wing becomes one of the first two women elected to Cleveland’s City Council.
1906
Marking our commitment to comprehensive healthcare as a means of empowerment.
YWCA becomes the first U.S. organization to introduce positive health concepts and sex education in all health programming. In 1913,
YWCA's National Board creates a commission on sex education.
1913
Eva del Vakia Bowles becomes the first Black woman to serve as YWCA USA Secretary, charged with increasing services to Black women.
1918
YWCA becomes the first organization to send professional workers overseas to provide administrative leadership and support to U.S. Armed Forces.
1919
YWCA holds the International Conference of Women Physicians, the first gathering of medical women. YWCA Greater Cleveland proudly sends one delegate to this conference.
1930s
YWCA encourages members to speak out against lynching and segregation in the interest of protecting the basic civil rights of Black Americans.
1936
YWCA holds the Interracial Seminar, marking the first intercollegiate, interracial, co-ed conference in the south.
1942
YWCA extends its services to Japanese-American women and girls incarcerated in World War II Relocation Centers.
1944
Establishing our dedication to employment and financial stability as a pillar of empowerment.
YWCA’s National Board appears in a Congress hearing to support the permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee legislation.
1963
The YWCA National Board becomes a sponsoring agency for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C., where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
1965
The National Board of the YWCA creates the Office of Racial Justice to lead the civil rights efforts, and appointed Dr. Dorothy Height as director.
Dorothy Height was a fierce civil rights activist and often one of the only women included in strategizing meeting with Dr. King and other major leaders.
YWCA remembers Height as the first person to treat race inequality and gender inequality as one issue and the woman who led the charge for full integration of YWCA branches in the 1950s.
1970
Focusing our national, collective efforts on eliminating racism at every level as the only way to achieve true empowerment.
At the YWCA National Convention, Dorothy Height leads the charge to adopt the YWCA’s One Imperative: “The elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”
This year, the National Convention also voted to emphasize the importance of repealing laws restricting or prohibiting abortions performed by a duly licensed physician.
1973
Focusing our national, collective efforts on eliminating racism at every level as the only way to achieve true empowerment.
At the YWCA National Convention, Dorothy Height leads the charge to adopt the YWCA’s One Imperative: “The elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”
This year, the National Convention also voted to emphasize the importance of repealing laws restricting or prohibiting abortions performed by a duly licensed physician.
1983
The YWCA National Board urges Congress to support legislation that opposes the South African policy of apartheid.
1992
YWCA joins the pro-choice demonstration March for Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C., in April. At that time, this is one of the largest protest marches at the nation’s capital.
1995
Week Without Violence initiative is launched. Observed each October, YWCAs across the country and world spend a week centering the voices of survivors of gender-based violence to raise awareness and engage in action steps to end violence against women and girls.
2001
Early Learning Center is founded.
The ELC provides high-quality early childhood education to families that have experienced homelessness and other traumatic occurrences through a trauma-informed approach, small classrooms, and coordination of supportive services.
Soon after its inception, the ELC restructured to better fit the needs of their students. The ELC now follows a two-generational model that ensures kindergarten readiness for children and supports increased self-sufficiency for parents/guardians.
2010
Independence Place is founded.
Independence Place is 23 permanent-supportive housing units for young adults ages 18-24, many of whom have experienced homelessness and the foster care system.
Independence Place empowers its residents to successfully attain the highest level of self-sufficiency with supportive services and a Life Coach who provides guidance and support.
2018
YWCA takes over management of Norma Herr Women’s Center.
Norma Herr Women's Center is Cleveland’s only low-barrier emergency shelter for adult women. Guests can access safe shelter and 3 meals daily, 365 days a year.
2019
The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is launched
This virtual learning tool is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with race, power, privilege, and leadership issues.
Since its inception, the Racial Justice Challenge has become a national program with participants in every state nationwide that YWCA Greater Cleveland continues to curate.
2020
YWCA merges with Cogswell Hall.
Cogswell Hall is permanent, supportive housing for 41 adult residents.
Cogswell Hall supports adults who have experienced homelessness by offering quality, trauma-informed care, building community, and uplifting the voices of disabled and economically disadvantaged members of our community.