History

The YWCA was founded January 19, 1908

The organization was founded by churchwomen in the community to help girls coming into the city to work for Reynolds Tobacco Company and Hanes Knitting Company. The building originally was downtown on Main Street. Girls were taught stenography, typing, arithmetic, English, cooking, sewing and millinery.

Funded member of the Community Chest

The YWCA became a funded member of the Community Chest, now known as the United Way.

First Lunchroom

YWCA opened first lunchroom.

Opened its First Pool

YWCA opened its first pool. A new building was built at the corner of Church and W. First Streets, with clubrooms, dormitory and gym.

YW was established to meet the needs of African-American Women

A branch YW was established to meet the needs of African-American women. More African-American women were employed by Reynolds than White. The Branch YW served as the first community center for African-Americans in Winston. It housed, at various times, the Better Homes and Gardens Clubs, the Work Project Administration, the Well Baby Clinic and the Carolina Fair Association Committee (run for African Americans.) Horton Branch Library was organized and housed in the Chestnut Street YWCA building.

YWCA hosted a debate between the Younger Business Girls’ Club and the Business and Professional Women’s Club

The YWCA hosted a debate between the Younger Business Girls’ Club and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. The debate topic was “Should a woman whose husband earns $100 or more a month be allowed to work?” (The Younger Business Girls won supporting the notion that they should not be allowed to work.)

• The Chestnut Street YWCA held a Christmas party and provided gifts for 2,000 African-American children.
• The YWCA employed women and girls to make rag rugs during the Depression.

Lowered the maximum work week to 55 hours

Mrs. Bryan Booe headed a YWCA committee that worked with local stores to lower the maximum work week to 55 hours and to place stools behind the counters for clerks.

Established Camp Betty Hastings

The YWCA accepted land from Fred Hutchins to establish Camp Betty Hastings named for the camp director.

The Glade Street building was dedicated.

The Glade Street building was dedicated.

Combined Negro YWCA and YWCA building

The Campaign begins to raise funds to construct a combined Negro YWCA and YWCA building. The building would be the only community in Winston-Salem for African-Americans. Leaders of the campaign said the building would be used for religious purposes and that it would be an important development in race relations. RJR Tobacco Company gave $200,000. The building was shared by the YWCA and the YMCA, but they operated separately, with different staffs and programs.

The Negro YWCA-YMCA at Patterson Avenue opened

The Negro YWCA-YMCA at Patterson Avenue opened with a gym and swimming pool. Classes for young women included crafts, cooking and other topics.

Dedicated the Patterson Avenue Swimming Pool

The Patterson Avenue swimming pool was dedicated.

Glade St. Pool and Gym Opened

The gym and pool at Glade Street opened.

Program for Marching Bands Begins

The Marching Bands program begins.

Glade Street and Patterson Branches Merge

The YWCA Board of Directors votes to merge the Glade Street and Patterson branches to create one YWCA for all women.

First African-American Executive Director

Martha Young became the first African-American executive director of the Glade Street YWCA.

Kick off of campaign for Link Building between the pool/gym and administrative buildings

Kick off of campaign for Link Building between the pool/gym and administrative buildings.

Project New Start Begins

Project New Start, a program for previously incarcerated women or spouses of incarcerated individuals begins.

Link Building dedicated.

The Empowering Family Center opens on Liberty Street

The Empowering Family Center opens on Liberty Street with the focus on helping parents become role models for their children. Presidential candidate Bill Clinton hosts a town meeting at the YWCA.

New addition to the YWCA opens

New addition to the YWCA opens and includes the Chrissy Gallaher warm water pool and a new fitness center.

Joel A. Weston Award for Excellence Received

• The YWCA receives the Joel A. Weston Award for Excellence in Non-Profit management.
• The Hawley House, previously a freestanding United Way agency, comes under YWCA management and is a new program of the YWCA.

Created the Millennium Village

Created the Millennium Village to promote racial dialogue among women of diverse backgrounds and race.

The Best Choice Center becomes a new program of the YWCA

The Best Choice Center, previously a freestanding United Way agency, becomes a new program of the YWCA.

Right Turns for Youth Begins

Right Turns for Youth, previously a freestanding United Way agency, becomes a new program of the YWCA.

The YWCA opened its Gateway Branch on South Main Street

The YWCA opened its Gateway Branch on South Main Street

Leadership within the Community Continues

Continue to be a leader in the community by providing programs such as Supportive Services for women at the Hawley House, Youth Intervention Programs, Child Care for everyone, building healthier communities and impacting families through various activities.