The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Washington State College (now Washington State University) was established in 1895. It provided the women of the college a place to worship, held bible classes, and located housing and employment. It also served as a social organization that cooperated with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Washington State College. A popular social event in the 1910s-1930s was the conferences held at Seabeck, (located on Washington's Hood Canal). Topics at Seabeck focused on issues of the YWCA's and YMCA's of the Pacific Northwest.
During the 1940s, the chapter concentrated on global issues. For example, the YWCA had plans to send care packages overseas although the lack of funds prohibited such action. In the 1950s-1960s, the organization studied politics and world relations, presenting programs on various subjects, including the war in Vietnam and the Democratic system. In 1969, the YWCA adopted the imperative "the elimination of racism." Programs of the 1970s and 1980s offered more projects on cultural awareness in the United States.
Membership grew steadily until 1954, peaking in that year with 711 members. In 1972, the membership had dropped to 219 members. The student body provided sole support for the YWCA until 1917 when the University partially funded the secretary's salary. Other assistance was provided by the Helen A. Fuller Endowment Fund established by Fuller in 1929. As of 2012, the United Way supported over 75% of the YWCA budget.
The bulk of the collection centers on the minutes and annual reports of the YWCA of WSU. Also included are various business-related files, correspondence, financial papers, miscellaneous papers, newspapers, projects.
The Business series contains the advisory board and cabinet minutes, and the annual reports. The annual reports discussed points that were significant to that year, (i.e. 1931- the Brides Parade and the Helen A. Fuller Endowment fund).
The Correspondence series contains letters concerning wages for employees and hiring requirements, letters from politicians, letters from WSC President Holland, National Board announcements, personal letters and letters on the YWCA-YMCA split.
The Financial series contains annual reports and fund-raising outcomes.
The Miscellaneous series contains information on the Business Committee, the Constitutions and By-Laws, Membership Lists, and national and local chapter descriptions.
The Newspaper series encompasses articles from 1913 to 1964, primarily from The Evergreen, the university student newspaper.
The Project series includes information on the programs established from 1973 to 1980, as well as information on the YWCA Centennial, conferences, political discussions the Student Christian Movement, and the Summer Migration Project.
These records are organized into six series. All papers are arranged chronologically within each series. Oversize materials are seperated into box 7.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may apply.
[Item description]
Young Women's Christian Association of Washington State University Records, 1906-1980 (Cage 541)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
The records of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were gifted to the Washington State University Libraries in May of 1987.
This collection was processed by Lisa Bassett during 1987
Preliminary Guide to the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Washington State University Records,
1908-2003
Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of the State College of Washington
Photographs,
Additional YWCA photographs can be found in the Washington State University Office of University Publications
and Printing/WSU Press WSU Photographs, 1947-1983
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.