History
Founded in 1922, the YWCA Princeton is a community-based women’s membership committed to the worldwide YWCA mission of empowering women and girls and eliminating racism. From its inception, the purpose of the YWCA has been to meet the ever-changing needs and interests of women and their families. It is a place where diversity works as a positive force to address social issues, to respond to crisis, and to foster change where needed. The YWCA dedicates itself to the growth and development of women, and generally enriches its community, creating leadership opportunities for its staff and volunteers. Strengthened by association, this diverse group shares a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, dignity, and the elimination of racism.
| 1917 | Princeton Women’s League for Patriotic Service organizes the Girls’ Patriotic League under the supervision of Miss Philena Fine. This forerunner of the YWCA Princeton “keeps idle girls so busily employed that they would not have time to even look at the boys of the military camp on the Princeton University campus.” |
| 1918 | The Girls’ Patriotic League becomes the Mercer County Young Women’s Christian Association, conducting YWCA work throughout the county. One of its activities is operating a Hostess House in the Quadrangle Club on Prospect Street with funds from the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA. |
| 1919 | YWCA activities include a lounge for visitors and shoppers, a meeting place and recreational program for both white and black women and girls, a room registry service, and an employment center. |
| 1920s | The YWCA offers English language and American culture classes for the foreign born, a Cosmopolitan Club for girls from different lands, health education, crafts, and public affairs discussion groups. |
| 1921 | Princeton withdraws from county YWCA and forms its own Association. |
| 1922 | Charter received from National on January 4 to officially recognize YWCA Princeton. |
| 1925 | The YWCA’s Committee on Colored Work leads to establishment of the Witherspoon Branch of YWCA Princeton at 184 Witherspoon St. for women and girls of color. |
| 1927 | Witherspoon Branch receives its own full time professional leader with help from the National YWCA. |
| 1930s | Princeton Leisure Time School established by YWCA; now known as Princeton Adult School. |
| 1931 | YWCA Princeton moves to more spacious quarters at 148 Nassau St. |
| 1935 | Margharetta Link is hired as first Executive Director, and serves for 13 years. |
| 1938 | Students at 15th National Convention urge extensive study of the impact of racial segregation on Association and community life. |
| 1940s | A Women’s Lounge is opened, a place where wives of servicemen stationed here can meet their husbands, find lodgings, etc. |
| 1946 | YWCA National Convention adopts Interracial Charter and 35 recommendations on interracial policies and practices with a clear determination of full integration as a conscious goal. |
| 1948 | Incorporation of Witherspoon Branch into one Princeton YWCA to “serve all of the women and girls of the community.” |
| 1950 | Sadie Poulson Dickerson is the first woman of color elected president of the integrated Princeton YWCA. |
| 1963 | The Pearl Bates Scholarship Fund is established, to enable economically disadvantaged community members to participate in YW programs. |
| 1967 | Mrs. Robert W. Claytor is the first woman of color to be elected National President of the YWCA. |
| 1967-72 | YWCA Committee on Abortion Reform helps bring test case before the courts in New Jersey, which eventually rules New Jersey’s abortion law unconstitutional. |
| 1968 | YWCA Princeton provides major support to the Princeton Community Job Fete, which coordinates employment opportunities and locates youth who need them. |
| 1970 | Joint YWCA/YMCA $1.6 million campaign to add gym, handball courts, exercise rooms, more locker facilities, new program rooms, larger parking area, and better access from “Avalon Place.” |
| 1970-73 | National YWCA’s One Imperative established: “elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.” YWCA Princeton responds with a Committee for Racial Justice, which attempts to bring human relations programs into schools, and stands in favor or low- and middle-income housing. |
| 1971 | The YWCA helps found the Professional Roster, as a placement service for qualified women seeking jobs. |
| 1972 | Pilot After-School Program for children of working parents is inaugurated. ENCORE, a rehabilitation program for women who have undergone mastectomies, originates at the YWCA Princeton and is officially adopted as a National YWCA program (in 1977). Interim Homes program is established, for teens needing temporary alternative living arrangements when in conflict at home. |
| 1973 | The International Festival changes its name to “Craftwomen’s Marketplace,” and continues to be held at “Avalon Place.” |
| 1978 | YWCA’s Musical Interludes program generates both Princeton Pro Musica in 1979 and the Little Orchestra of Princeton, now known as the Chamber Symphony of Princeton, in 1980. |
| 1984 | YWCA Princeton adopts National YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) program for recognition of Princeton area business women. |
| 1985 | Bramwell House is purchased as an annex for growing program, meeting and administration needs. ENCORE program becomes the Breast Cancer Resource Center. |
| 1989 | English as a Second Language program expands to better serve new immigrants to the greater Princeton area. |
| 1990 | Craftwomen’s Marketplace moves to the John Witherspoon Middle School. |
| 1991 | J. Seward Johnson, Sr. Charitable Trusts endow the Breast Cancer Resource Center with a $150,000 grant. |
| 1994 | First Race for the Cure, hosted by the YWCA Princeton, is held. “Craftwomen’s Marketplace” becomes “Crafters’ Marketplace.” |
| 1995 | YWCA Princeton Child Care Center at Valley Road School, which prepares non-English speaking children for kindergarten, admits its first class. |
| 1997 | YWCA Princeton launches a $3 million 75th Anniversary Endowment Campaign to augment its ability to expand mission-based programming (and is completed successfully three years later). |
| 2001 | The National YWCA convention votes to maintain its single-sex status as a means to support more effectively the worldwide women’s movement. Convention attendees also vote to dissolve the YWCA of the USA and replace it with a regional model. |
| 2002 | YWCA of the USA reorganizes; forms National Coordinating Board with regional councils to facilitate communication and focus among local associations. Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) program shortens its name to Tribute to Women, and broadens its reach to women in education, entrepreneurial roles, etc. |
| 2004 | New annual programs initiated: the Main Event, a membership drive and networking opportunity; the Women’s Choreographers’ Showcase, highlighting dancers over 40; the St. Nicholas Project, providing holiday presents and food to local families in need. |
| 2005 | New annual programs initiated: National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism, jointly cosponsored with the YWCA of Trenton; BCRC fashion show “In the Pink” featuring breast cancer survivors, their physicians, and family members as models; BCRC “Surviving and Thriving” seminar to provide new information on breast cancer issues; ETS Firecracker 5K Fun Run, with proceeds benefiting both the YWCA Princeton and the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation; and a one-day women’s financial conference. |
| 2006 | New annual programs initiated: Career Development Series for Women, Yoga Inspires for breast cancer patients and survivors. |
| 2006 | See what we have going on TODAY. |
