Dr. Alice Mills, first president of the Board of Directors from 1892-1897
YWCA Celebrates 125 Years!
125 years ago, the women of Binghamton and Broome County joined thousands of other women in declaring their independence from oppression. To assist in this great endeavor, the YWCA was formed to advocate for fairness in the human condition. The YWCA’s declaration of empowerment is that all women and men are created equal and it is their inalienable right to be free from discrimination. They should also be free to pursue opportunities and education.
The Binghamton/Broome County YWCA is still in the forefront of beneficial change in the status of women. Their history is part of the world stage in the fight for the betterment of women and mankind.
The first meeting for the YWCA is held in Binghamton. Young women were coming into the city to work in the factories, and citizens were alarmed that there were no safe places for them to live. Three town hall meetings were held over a few months.
YWCA begins to offer classes to women with a focus on physical fitness. The Binghamton YWCA builds the first integrated swimming pool in the area which starts a new era of young children learning to swim.
The Binghamton/Broome County YWCA helped over 150 young women entering the workforce through the new Federal Training Program called the Job Corps. Over the next few years the Interfaith Shelter and other shelters were opened as well.
Flood, the YWCA was evacuated for several days and luckily only had to replace the boilers and one water heater from damage.
Final Façade project was completed.
Where to next?
