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YWCA Princeton

A women's international membership movement dedicated to empowerment of women and elimination of racism with the common vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity.

Description:
In the greater Princeton community, the YWCA Princeton is the primary force in generating the tremendous benefits that arise when women realize their full potential. Our organization’s unstoppable commitment to women leading self-determined lives is broadly recognized, respected, and supported.

We are valued as a voice for women—politically, socially, and individually—and as a means for women in all stages and walks of life to bring strength to each other.

Society has come a long way in eliminating racism and empowering women. But we still have a long way to go.

We reflect the values the national YWCA has held for 150 years, through suffrage, through the first interracial conference in the South in the early 20th century, through the fights for civil rights and affirmative action.

History:
Since 1858, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States, as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women.
A few snapshots of YWCA history:
1906: First organization to introduce a positive health concept and sex education in all health programming.
1908: First industrial federation of clubs to train girls in self-government.
1915: Held the first interracial conference.
1934: Members ere encouraged to speak out against lynching and mob violence, and for interracial cooperation and efforts to protect African Americans’ basic civil rights.
1942: Services extended to Japanese American women and girls incarcerated in WWII relocation centers.
1949: National Convention pledged that the YWCA will work for integration and full participation of minority groups in all phases of American life.
1972: Started the first ENCORE program for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery (originated here in Princeton).
1983: YWCA National Board urged Congress to support legislation that opposed the South African policy of apartheid.
1995: The YWCA Week Without Violence was created as a nationwide effort to unite people against violence in communities. Annual observance is the third week of October.
2008: Sesquicentennial anniversary celebrated with the launch of the “Own It” campaign, focused on igniting a new generation of 22 million young women, ages 18-34, to get involved with important issues facing women and the country today.

Contact person: Patricia Orr, Director Of Public Relations, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 609-497-1211

Address:

59 Paul Robeson Place Princeton, NJ 08540 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ywcaprinceton.org

Last updated on January 12, 2010