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The Young Women's Christian Association (University of Washington) was established in 1895 as the first women's organization on campus. In 1930, the YWCA (UW) moved off campus after the state legislature interpreted the "separation of church and state" to prohibit religious organizations from being housed on the university campus. It merged with the YMCA (UW) in 1940, and the two organizations operated jointly for thirty years in Eagleson Hall, located off campus at 15th Ave. NE and E. 42nd St., and later at 4525 19th Ave. N.E. The YWCA (UW) declared its autonomy from the YMCA (UW) in 1970 and moved to 4224 University Way N.E. Over the course of the ensuing decade, the YWCA (UW) pioneered in feminist programming, providing an extensive range of services and activities not only for UW students but for women throughout the Seattle area.

Three examples of the YWCA's progressive programming were Mechanica, the Lesbian Resource Center, and the Aradia Clinic. Mechanica began as a women's cooperative garage and auto mechanics course in 1972, but by 1975, it had evolved into an information service for women seeking to enter apprenticeships in the skilled trades and other non-traditional jobs. The Mechanica staff provided job counseling, promoted affirmative action hiring of women and minorities, and pushed for affirmative action placements in union apprenticeships. In 1980, the program ended due to loss of funding.

The Lesbian Resource Center (LRC) began as the Gay Women's Resource Center in 1971. The center provided peer counseling support services to lesbians in the Seattle-King County area. The LRC also worked to make changes within the YWCA (UW), pushing for more lesbian membership on the board of directors. The Lesbian Resource Center became independent in 1980.

The Aradia Clinic opened in 1972, after a year of organizing by women in the YWCA (UW) who wanted to address the need for a women's health care clinic in the community. The clinic was constructed by over sixty women under the leadership of a female architect. The construction work by the women was indicative of the early spirit of Aradia, which strongly encouraged patients to take their health into their own hands. The Aradia staff offered annual examinations, pregnancy detection and counseling, self-health classes, workshops, and abortion procedures. In 1973, Aradia legally separated from the YWCA (UW), although it continued to be housed in the same building until 1978. The Aradia Women's Health Center was still in operation as of 2004 as a non-profit feminist health center dedicated to the advancement of women's health and reproductive choices.