Through the Years:
The History of the YWCA of Greater Portland
At its founding in 1901, the YWCA of Greater Portland was primarily concerned with the safety of young women migrating from rural areas to Portland. We offered them a sanctuary from the dangers of city life by helping them find safe housing, employment and wholesome activities.
As the lifestyles and needs of women have evolved, so has the YWCA's mission. Today, the YWCA of Greater Portland is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We deliver life-changing social services for women, children, and families from all walks – and all phases – of life, helping them come to their own through three stages of empowerment:
Safety, Opportunity, and Independence. Our comprehensive programs span four key service areas:
- Domestic Violence Services
- Transitional Services for Women
- Senior Services
- Youth Services
The YWCA of Greater Portland boasts a rich heritage of community service
and individual empowerment.
Founders of the YWCA of Greater Portland |
1900-01 Founding meetings and incorporation of Portland YWCA as a "city association." Founding mothers could not legally form corporations so their husbands signed the articles of incorporation.
1900s Rented rooms at MacClay building for classes, meetings, and dormitory purposes. Opened lunchroom at Wortman & Olds Department store for outreach to female clerks. Opened school of Domestic Science and developed job placement service. Built a "Headquarters" at the Lewis & Clark Exposition. Events and recruitment throughout Fair. Funds generated went toward a new building project in downtown Portland. National YWCA consolidation. YWCA Purpose: "To advance the physical, social, intellectual, moral and spiritual interests of young women.
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1910s Supported federally-funded war work through the "War Camp Community Service" program, especially housing for women war industries workers through a local "rooms registry" service. "Girl Reserves" instituted a patriotic, service-oriented club program for school-aged girls. Portland's African American women organized to meet the needs of women and girls through the YWCA.
1920s "Girl Reserves" flourished in Portland, annually enrolling up to 2,000 members. Membership reflected segregated housing in the city, with separate clubs for African-American, Japanese, Chinese, and native/foreign-born white girls. Under leadership of local African-American women, new Williams Avenue YWCA opened at 704 Tillamook, serving Northeast Portland.
1930s St. John's Branch opened in North Portland. Camp Westwind at the Oregon coast purchased for annual summer camp programs.
1940s YWCA joined "United Service Organization" (USO). Under pressure to maintain separate facilities for whites and other races, Williams Avenue Branch turned over to USO for use by African-American soldiers. Programming for African-American women and girls moved downtown and into the homes of women in Northeast. Portland YWCA wrote one of the few letters to the Governor of Oregon urging restraint towards Japanese Americans. National YWCA passed the Interracial Charter: Williams Avenue YWCA became a "Center" with interracial programming. Japanese-American women organized the "Veleda Club" for married women. Girl Reserves changed to "Y-Teens."
1959 New YWCA building at Southwest Tenth and Main in downtown Portland opened. Williams Avenue Branch building closed and sold. |
Taylor St. YWCA, early 1900's
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1960s Japanese-American women participated in Portland YWCA Board of Directors. Residence program in downtown building flourished. "Young Women Committed to Action"--youthful group of activist-minded YWCA members--made themselves heard and felt in the organization locally and nationally; some interest in Portland.
1970s National YWCA One Imperative: "The YWCA will thrust its collective power to work toward the elimination of racism, wherever it exists and by any means necessary.” Portland YWCA opened a Women's Resource Center, a job bank, and Transitional Opportunity Project (TOP) assisting women transitioning out of prison. YWCA programming in Northeast restarted in Mallory Avenue Christian Church.
1980s Health and Fitness programs at Downtown flourished, especially those focused on seniors and people with disabilities. Breast Cancer Awareness initiative. Better visibility for lesbian women through anti-homophobia campaign began in 1985 by National YWCA. YWCA Northeast Center opened at 5630 NE MLK Boulevard. |
Canoeing into Camp Westwind
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1990s Portland Development Commission adopted Museum Place plans for a new complex of buildings around the Tenth and Main site, centered on supportive housing and the special needs of seniors downtown. SafeHaven Shelter opened, providing a 24-hour a day, 7 day a week homeless family shelter in North Portland. Completed $5.5 million capital campaign for Camp Westwind.
2000 A one million dollar lead gift is received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that seeded an $8.2 million capital campaign to renovate the Downtown Center.
2002 Newly renovated downtown YWCA opened - housing YWCA Transitional Opportunity Project (TOP) for women transitioning from prison; YWCA Counseling Center serving low-income individuals, couples and groups; YWCA Fitness for Everybody Center, providing affordable fitness for people of all ages, sizes and abilities; as well as YWCA administrative offices. Tenant partners were Loaves and Fishes Senior Dining and Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services.
2004 National YWCA Board of Directors approved new mission statement that reflected the changing needs of the community: "The YWCA of Greater Portland strives to eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms and provides growth, education, and leadership opportunities for women and families.” For the first time in Portland and the second time in the country, the by-laws were changed to allow men to serve on the Board of Directors.
2006 The Westwind Stewardship Group assumed ownership of Westwind under an agreement allowing the YWCA to operate Camp Westwind in perpetuity.
2009 Camp Westwind re-opened the day camp program (Camp Westwind in the City) in the newly renovated roof-garden terrace at the 10th Avenue location allowing children of many ages and from diverse backgrounds to explore the outdoors right in the midst of the city.
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