YWCA papers

The Young Women’s Christian Association at the University of Minnesota was organized in 1891 by 12 sophomore students and has the distinction of being the first women's organization on campus. In 1897, the U of M YWCA was the first college association to hire a full time general secretary. The YWCA outreach program provided student volunteer leaders to settlement houses and mission churches as early as 1911, while working to meet student and faculty needs on campus through outreach programs, social events, chapel services and religious education. By relying on student leadership, the YWCA provided its female members opportunities in goal setting, self-reliance and management skills. The organization has been active in community projects that support peace and justice for all. In the early 1980s, the University YWCA changed its name to the University YW (U-YW) to reflect that the organization is no longer affiliated with a Christian mission.