About Us > YWCA Cambridge
History of the YWCA The World YWCA, founded in London in 1855, is a movement of women, an organization governed by women, and a program of services and activities specially for women.
The National YWCA is: The oldest and largest women's organization in the world, now at work in 83 countries on five continents. The YWCA of the USA is a charter member of the World YWCA which has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
A multi-racial, multi-cultural membership movement motivated by a Christian purpose and committed to the One Imperative: To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.
A network of women on the move in today's world.
An extensive recreational program for women, men, and children.
An Association with more than 100 years of experience and leadership in serving the changing needs of our communities. Today, those needs include job training, education, childcare, housing, counseling and recreation
The YWCA movement arrived in Cambridge in 1891 when the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Cambridgeport formed a committee to found an organization for women similar to the YMCA. After some hesitation, the founders named their creation after the YWCA's already established in Boston and elsewhere. In its first year, the Cambridge YWCA operated out of rented rooms at 639 Main Street (now Mass Ave.) with a staff of one, a budget of $2,000 and a list of 862 members and associates. In 1992, the YWCA has 65,000 square feet in its own buildings in Central Square, plus a branch in Marshfield, a staff of forty, an annual budget over $1.3 million and has served over 5,000 members and associates.
Relationship with the National and International YWCA Althought the YWCA of the USA National Board was formed in 1906, the Cambridge YWCA refused to become an affiliate for nearly thirty years. Feeling that the national statement of purpose restricted membership, the Cambridge Association retained its own purpose and membership requirements until 1935 when National wrote a purpose acceptable to Cambridge. Since then, Cambridge has participated in deliberations at the regular conventions which determine national YWCA policies, including those which revised the Purpose to its current form (1990) and which adopted the One Imperative: "To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary"(1970). Affiliation with the National Board requires the Cambridge YWCA to meet certain standards, but specific program and local policies are determined in Cambridge. Through a liaison at National Board headquarters in New York, the Cambridge YWCA is informed of National guidelines and standards and provided with a great deal of information on public affairs, programs at other YWCAs, and issues of concern to women. The Cambridge YWCa is also affiliated with the World YWCA whose headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. The ties with the national and international YWCA movements make Cambridge YWCA memberships transferrable to any other YWCA in the world.
CAMBRIDGE BUILDINGS
The first building actually owned by the new Association was a boarding home purchased in 1898 and located at the corner of Temple and Austin (now Bishop Allen Drive)> The following decade saw the construction of a gymnasium building sometime before 1906 and the Main Building finished in 1911. The boarding house was demolished to make room for the Main Building, but that new structure contained room for forty-nine resident women in addition to office and program space.
In 1924 the YWCA purchased the Yellow House, later renamed Trowbridge House, on Austin Street behind the Main Building. The next phase of construction was in the 1950's and 1960's when three additions went up in rapid succession: the Health Education Wing (locker rooms, Winslow Hall, Crafts Room and Pool Desk) in 1954, the Pool in 1962, and Tanner House Residence (on the site of Trowbridge House and an adjoining lot) in 1965. The older buildings have been renovated several times, including the most recent renovation in 1990 when ain Building was completely renovated inclding new heating and plumbing, roof work, window repair and handicap access. The Pool and the Health Education Wing have both been shut down due to on-going structual problems.
PROGRAMS
Over the years, the Cambridge YWCA has offered a great variety of classes and other programs. Alongside the rather predictable sewing and cooking, there have been classes in citizenship, etiquette, penmanship, first aid, manicuring and shampooing, economics, modern fiction, psycholigy of personality, interior decorating, ukelele playing, driver training, and unlearning racism. Health education and physical fitness have always been a major concern, with classes including gymnastics, swimming, corrective exercise, weight control, self-defense, and yoga. Dance classes have included aesthetics, aerobic, tap, ballroom, modern, ballet, and jazz courses; and sports played at the YWCA have included tennis, basketball, baseball, hockey, bowling, volleyball, and badminton.