YWCA has been leading the fight for social and economic justice in Southern Arizona since 1917.

Today YWCA membership is open to all people, and it has not been a religious organization for more than fifty years. YWCA’s Frances McClelland Community Center at 525 N. Bonita Avenue was built in 2007 and has become an important venue for community, educational and business groups throughout the community.

Campuses

Board of Directors

Officers

Directors

Staff

Community & Donor Relations

Microbusiness Advancement Center (MAC)

Stand Together Arizona Training & Advocacy Center (STAT)

Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity (WCEO)

Operations

Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Southern Arizona was established in 1917, just five years after Arizona gained statehood, by visionary women committed to establishing progressive values in this young state. From the beginning, YWCA has been committed to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Southern Arizona was founded as a place for women to rest, socialize, learn, organize and contribute to creating a more progressive community. It was the only place where children of color could learn to swim in the years before the municipal swimming pools were built. Our organization provided the first child day care centers and the first domestic violence shelter.  The Big Sisters component of Big Brothers Big Sisters was originally a YWCA program.

We are proud of our affiliation with YWCA USA, which 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 for more than 150 years.

1858
The first Association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association, was formed in New York City

1860
The first boarding house for female students, teachers and factory workers opened in New York, N.Y.

1889
The first African-American YWCA branch opened in Dayton, Ohio

1890
The first YWCA for Native American women opened in at Haworth Institute in Chilocco, Okla.

1894
The United States of America, England, Sweden, and Norway together created the World YWCA, which today is working in over 125 countries

1908
YWCA was the first industrial federation of clubs to train girls in self-government

1917

YWCA Tucson is established, just five years after Arizona becomes a state. Our first board chair is a member of the Jewish community.

1918
YWCA was the first organization to send professional workers overseas to provide administrative leadership and support to U.S. Armed Forces

1920
Based on its work with women in industrial plants, the YWCA Convention voted to work for “an eight-hour/day law, prohibition of night work, and the right of labor to organize”

1942
YWCA extends its services to Japanese American women and girls incarcerated in World War II Relocation Centers

1965
The National Board of the YWCA created the Office of Racial Justice to lead the civil rights efforts

1992
YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism began in response to the beating of Rodney King, an African American man, the acquittal of four white Los Angeles police officers accused of the crime, and the subsequent riots and unrest across the country

1995
YWCA Week Without Violence was created as a nationwide effort to unite people against violence in communities. The annual observance is held the third week of October

2015
YWCA of Tucson formally changed its name to YWCA Southern Arizona, reflecting the current reach of its programming and a growing vision for the future.

2016
YWCA’s campuses welcome over 50,000 visitors a year for classes, public forums, art and theatre, conferences, community events, and meetings. The board articulates a vision for the second century – Everybody Thrives.

2017
YWCA Southern Arizona celebrates its 100th Birthday. It joins with YWCA Maricopa County to start a statewide Stand TOgether Arizona Training and Advocacy Center. A $1.5 million fundraising campaign begins to launch YWCA into its second century of change-making.