The YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) is the oldest and largest women's membership association. It began in London in 1855, and first came to the U.S. in 1858. Although similar in name, the YWCA has no affiliation with the YMCA. The YWCA was an independent movement that arose out of Women's church groups as a way of making life better for other women. These first YWCA's provided boarding houses, skills training, recreation, and a social environment for single, working women. After World War II, the YWCA's emphasis shifted to the family: mother and children. In 1946, the YWCA adopted an Interracial Charter. Its purpose became the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism. The YWCA of South Hampton Roads started as housing for working girls in 1893. In 1908, the Phyllis Wheatley Branch of the YWCA of Norfolk began as an association of African American Women. The branch was named after a black woman poet who lived during the time of the Revolutionary War. Another YWCA started in Norfolk in 1911. This chapter had a residence for single women, and offered classes in cooking, stenography, Bible studies, typing, and gymnastics. It also had a cafeteria and a reading room. In 1925, the two branches came together. Then, in the 1950s a Virginia Beach branch was created. Over the years, many splits and mergers have occurred in the YWCA's of Hampton Roads. Throughout their history, the YWCA chapters of Hampton Roads have created many institutions in the community. Camp Owaissa, Camp E.W. Young, and various day camps have provided summer recreation for young girls. The Norfolk YWCA ran a cafeteria on West Freemason for many years. The YWCA has hosted women's shelters including the Phyllis Wheatley House, the Wilkshaw, and undisclosed battered women's shelters. Other YWCA programs have included the Winners Dinners, now known as the Women of Distinction Award, where women of achievement have been recognized, Y-Prep and Y-Teens for young and adolescent girls, Black History Month, the Women in Crisis Program for victims of domestic violence, the Women in Transition Program to help economically disadvantaged women find employment or gain job skills, and Ladies Day Out workshops and fashion shows. In addition to these, the YWCA of Hampton Roads has held and continues to hold a wide variety of programs for women of all ages and backgrounds. They offer classes, workshops, and training; fashion and talent shows; retreats; conventions; political events, achievement and award dinners, services and shelter for battered and abused women and children; and a variety of youth programs.

Note written by Special Collections Staff