YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002
type: FindingAid
type: Document
conforms to: General International Standard for Archival Description
publisher: Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
encoded as: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002
topic: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
subject: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
has part: Biographical History for: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records

General International Standard for Archival Description
type: Standard

Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
type: Repository
type: Organization
type: Agent
country code: US
maintenance agency code: mnsss
is publisher of: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002
administers: Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
provides access to: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records

Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
type: SpatialThing
is administered by: Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA

YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002
type: EAD
type: Document
description: Finding aid encoded by Margaret Jessup. May 23, 2008
created: May 23, 2008
conforms to: Encoded Archival Description
conforms to: Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
encoding of: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002

Encoded Archival Description
type: Standard

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
type: Standard

YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
type: ArchivalResource
access provided by: Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
level: collection
identifier: MS 324
date: 1860-2002
date created accumulated string: 1860-2002
date created accumulated start: 1860
date created accumulated end: 2002
produced in: Creation of YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
date: 1906-2000
date created accumulated string: 1906-2000
date created accumulated start: 1906
date created accumulated end: 2000
extent: 1132 boxes; 382 reels microfilm; oversize materials
extent: (570 linear ft.)
language: eng
origination: Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.
has biographical history: Biographical History for: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
acquisitions: The YWCA of the U.S.A. donated a portion of its records to the Sophia Smith Collection in 1964 and the remainder in 2002 and 2003.
scopecontent: Scope and Contents of the Collection The Young Women's Christian Association of the USA Records consist of 382 reels of microfilm and 570 linear feet of records in original format dating from 1869 to 2002. For the most part, the Microfilmed Records and the Original Format Records do not duplicate each other and both should be consulted. The Series Descriptions within each Record Group discuss materials in both formats and provide link to the lists for both formats. Types of materials include artifacts; audiovisual materials (including videotapes, audiotapes, and other recordings); conference and convention records; correspondence; legal documents; memorabilia; minutes; newspaper clippings; photographs; posters; program and project files; publications; reports; speeches; and studies. The bulk of the materials date from 1906 to 1970 and focus on the administration of the National Association, its programs and publications, and its relations with its member YWCAs all over the country. Major topics found throughout the records include: employed women, particularly those in industryinterracial relations in the U.S.religionwork with immigrant women development of girls, development of youth movementhealth and sex education for womeninternational relationsinternational workphilanthropyhousingwomen in rural Americaeffective administration of organizationsgroup worksocial workwomen's war workcitizenship trainingleadership trainingcollege women MICROFILMED RECORDS The YWCA of the USA began discussing microfilming its historical records in 1948 as a way to free up much-needed space in its headquarters building in New York City. When the project got underway in the 1960s, no preservation microfilming standards were consulted, and the Association was not expecting that the film would be used by the general public. This means that it is not particularly easy to navigate and unfortunately, the quality is often poor. Many images are too dark to read easily; in places they are out o…
access restrictions: The records are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection with the following accesptions: Portions of this collection are stored offsite. To access boxes 893-964 and 1061-1132, researchers must give two working days advance notice. Advanced notice is NOT required for other boxes or to view microfilmed records. Access to audiovisual materials may first require production of research copies.
use restrictions: The YWCA of the USA retains copyright ownership of the records, but has authorized the Sophia Smith Collection to grant permission to publish reproductions or quotations from the records on its behalf. Copyright to materials authored by persons other than YWCA staff may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights for permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use."
alternate forms available: Additional Formats A copy of the microfilmed records of the YWCA of the U.S.A. Records is available to borrow from the William Allan Neilson Library at Smith College via Interlibrary Loan. To request the microfilm from our library you will need to submit the following information to your library's Interlibrary Loan department: Author: Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A. National BoardTitle: Records, 1876-1970 [microform]WorldCat Accession Number: OCLC 57415795Notes: "Call # 689" and reel number(s) you want to borrow Full descriptions and reel lists of the microfilm are available online.
related material: [See also "Related materials" notes within each Record Group] The Sophia Smith Collection holds the personal papers of a number of YWCA staff members. See the Papers of: Barbara AbelKate Hillis BoydCarolyn Adelia BoyntonGladys Gilkey CalkinsElizabeth Dodge Huntington ClarkeEleanor Gwinnell CoitBessie Boies CottonMabel CrattyElizabeth DickersonEldri Louise Dieson Grace Hoadley DodgeFrances DrakeGrace Loucks ElliottPolly Babcock FeustalHarriet Bliss FordElizabeth Steel GennéVirginia Heim GeorgeJewel Freeman GrahamDorothy Irene HeightRuth Lois HillRuth Elizabeth JohnsGarnet J. KnightsIna Ruth Hillis LackeyEdith M. LerrigoElmina Rose LuckeSarah Scudder LyonRhoda McCullochCarrie Eliza MearesElisabeth Luce MooreHazel Vernon Miller Elizabeth NorrisEleanora Davis PimMarion O. Robinson Lillian SharpleyDorothea Spellmann Norma H. Stauffer Odile SweeneyClara TaylorFrances TicknorRuth Van MeterRuth Frances WoodsmallWinnifred Wygal See also: Southern Women, the Student YWCA, and Race (1920-1944) Collection Today: Magazine of the YWCA of India for 1963-79 is housed in the Periodicals Collection of the Sophia Smith Collection. Records of the YWCA's USO work are in the Social Welfare History Archives at the University of Minnesota Records of various YWCA International Institutes are in the Social Welfare History Archives, and the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. A number of women with YWCA connections, including several national staff members, were interviewed as part of the Schlesinger Library's Black Women Oral History Project (1987). The Sophia Smith Collection holds copies of the transcripts. See: Frankie V. AdamsMelnea Agnes (Jones) CassDorothy (Boulding) FerebeeVirginia (Clark) GaytonAnna Arnold HedgemanDorothy Irene HeightSusie Pearl (Williams) JonesLucy (Miller) MitchellJulia (Hamilton) SmithOlive Pearl StokesMary (Crutchfield) Wright ThompsonSue (Bailey) ThurmanFrances Harriet Williams See also the online exhibit of five YWCA overseas sec…
processing: Processed by Maida Goodwin, Amy Hague, Kara McClurken, Amanda Izzo, and Melody Sabine, 2008
associated with: Adolescence--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Adult education--United States--History--Sources
associated with: African American women--Employment--History--Sources
associated with: African American women--Social conditions--History--20th century
associated with: African Americans--Civil rights--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Anti-communist movements--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Businesswomen--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Camps Administration
associated with: Camps for girls
associated with: Child rearing--History--Sources
associated with: Children--Health and hygiene--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Civil rights movements--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Clubs--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Consumer education--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Drama--United States--History--20th century
associated with: Ethnicity--United States--History--20th century
associated with: Family--Social aspects
associated with: Girls--Societies and clubs--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Group relations training--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Health education of women--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Hygiene, Sexual--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Immigrants--United States--History--20th century-- Sources
associated with: Indian women--North America--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: International education--History--Sources
associated with: International relations--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Labor laws and legislation--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Labor--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Leadership in women--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Marriage, Companionate--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Mothers and daughters--United States--History
associated with: Nature Study
associated with: Nonprofit organizations--Management
associated with: Physical education for women--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Physical fitness for women--History--20th century
associated with: Race awareness--United States
associated with: Religion--Study and teaching--History--Sources
associated with: Rural women--History--Sources
associated with: Sex instruction--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Social work--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Social work with immigrants--United States--History--Sources
associated with: Spirituality--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Teenage girls--United States--History
associated with: Trade and professional associations--United States--History--Sources
associated with: United States--Description and travel--Sources
associated with: Race relations--United States
associated with: Women and religion--History--Sources
associated with: Women and war--United States--History
associated with: Women domestics--United States
associated with: Women--Economic conditions--History--Sources
associated with: Women--Employment--United States--History--20th century--Sources
associated with: Women--Employment--History--Sources
associated with: Women--Health and hygiene--United States--20th century
associated with: Women--International cooperation--History--Sources

collection
type: Level
type: Concept

Creation of YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
type: Creation
type: Event
product: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
involved: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
time: Time of Creation of YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
at time: Time of Creation of YWCA of the U.S.A. Records

Time of Creation of YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
type: Interval
timeline: universaltimeline
start: 1860
interval starts: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/1860
P86i contains: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/1860
end: 2002
interval ends: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/2002
P86i contains: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/2002
start: 1906
interval starts: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/1906
P86i contains: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/1906
end: 2000
interval ends: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/2000
P86i contains: http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/year/2000

1132 boxes; 382 reels microfilm; oversize materials
type: Extent
label: (570 linear ft.)

Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.
type: Agent
is origination of: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records

Biographical History for: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
type: BiographicalHistory
type: Document
type: DocumentPart
body: Historical Note The Young Women's Christian Association of the United States of America is the U.S. national affiliate of the World YWCA. Incorporated in 1907, it is an association made up of autonomous member Associations in cities and towns, and on college campuses throughout the country. The YWCA movement emerged during a surge in evangelical Protestant revivalism and women's activism in the mid-nineteenth century. Though the language used to describe its purpose has changed over time-from doing "what it could toward the full and proper development of whatever excellencies of character" its members possessed to "helping women lead larger lives" to "the empowerment of women"-its purpose, has been remarkably steady. At its height in the 1910s through the 1930s, the national YWCA encompassed programming tinged with radical politics-labor activism, social Christianity, desegregation-and also provided the resources more commonly associated with its name, such as Christian-oriented club work, wholesome accommodations for women, and physical education. In its current incarnation, it is among the more progressively-oriented social service providers to women and families in need and bears no formal ties to organized religion. Group sing at the YWCA 26th National Convention, 1973 Historically speaking, the YWCA is one of the most important and far-ranging non-profit organizations in the United States. The segment of interests and constituency embedded in its name, Young Women's Christian Association, belies the breadth of its work. Modeled on English women's prayer groups and rooted in rigorous Christianity, individual YWCAs were established in northeastern U.S. cities and on midwestern college and university campuses in the mid-nineteenth century in response to the social upheaval of industrialization. Its earliest incarnations were local women's prayer groups that gave a morally upright means for middle-class women to cross from the separate sphere of their domestic doma…
topic: Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.
subject: Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.
is biographical history for: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records
is part of: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, 1860-2002

Adolescence--United States--History--20th century--Sources
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lcsh
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Adult education--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

African American women--Employment--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

African American women--Social conditions--History--20th century
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

African Americans--Civil rights--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Anti-communist movements--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Businesswomen--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Camps Administration
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Camps for girls
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Child rearing--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Children--Health and hygiene--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Civil rights movements--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Clubs--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Consumer education--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Drama--United States--History--20th century
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Ethnicity--United States--History--20th century
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Family--Social aspects
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Girls--Societies and clubs--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Group relations training--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Health education of women--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Hygiene, Sexual--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Immigrants--United States--History--20th century-- Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Indian women--North America--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

International education--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

International relations--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Labor laws and legislation--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Labor--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Leadership in women--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Marriage, Companionate--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Mothers and daughters--United States--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Nature Study
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Nonprofit organizations--Management
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Physical education for women--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Physical fitness for women--History--20th century
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Race awareness--United States
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Religion--Study and teaching--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Rural women--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Sex instruction--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Social work--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Social work with immigrants--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Spirituality--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Teenage girls--United States--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Trade and professional associations--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

United States--Description and travel--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Race relations--United States
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women and religion--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women and war--United States--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women domestics--United States
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Economic conditions--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Employment--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Employment--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Health and hygiene--United States--20th century
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--International cooperation--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Services for--United States
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women in charitable work--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women in Christianity--United States--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women in development--International cooperation--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women in the labor movement--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Women--Societies and clubs--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Working class women--United States--History--20th century--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

World War, 1914-1918--War work--France--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

World War, 1914-1918--War work--Young Women's Christian Association
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

World War, 1939-1945--Women--United States
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

World War, 1939-1945--Japanese Americans
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

World War, 1939-1945--War work
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Young women--United States--Social life and customs
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh

Coit, Eleanor G.
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Coit, Eleanor G.

lcnaf
type: ConceptScheme

Coit, Eleanor G.
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Cotton, Bessie Boies, 1880-1959
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Cotton, Bessie Boies, 1880-1959

Cotton, Bessie Boies, 1880-1959
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Cratty, Mabel, 1868-1928
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Cratty, Mabel, 1868-1928

Cratty, Mabel, 1868-1928
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Dodge, Grace H. (Grace Hoadley), 1856-1914
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Dodge, Grace H. (Grace Hoadley), 1856-1914

Dodge, Grace H. (Grace Hoadley), 1856-1914
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Elliott, Grace Loucks, 1891-
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Elliott, Grace Loucks, 1891-

Elliott, Grace Loucks, 1891-
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Graham, Jewel
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Graham, Jewel

Graham, Jewel
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Hill, Ruth Lois, 1906-
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Hill, Ruth Lois, 1906-

Hill, Ruth Lois, 1906-
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Hirth, Emma Pauline
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Hirth, Emma Pauline

Hirth, Emma Pauline
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Knights, Garnet J., 1900-1985
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Knights, Garnet J., 1900-1985

Knights, Garnet J., 1900-1985
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Lackey, Ina Ruth Hillis, 1909-
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Lackey, Ina Ruth Hillis, 1909-

Lackey, Ina Ruth Hillis, 1909-
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Lerrigo, Edith
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Lerrigo, Edith

Lerrigo, Edith
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Lucke, Elmina Rose
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Lucke, Elmina Rose

Lucke, Elmina Rose
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Mathai-Davis, Prema
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Mathai-Davis, Prema

Mathai-Davis, Prema
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

McCulloch, Rhoda Elizabeth, 1884-
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: McCulloch, Rhoda Elizabeth, 1884-

McCulloch, Rhoda Elizabeth, 1884-
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Moore, Elisabeth Luce
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Moore, Elisabeth Luce

Moore, Elisabeth Luce
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Norris, Elizabeth, 1914-2003
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Norris, Elizabeth, 1914-2003

Norris, Elizabeth, 1914-2003
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Rice, Anna Virena, 1880-
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Rice, Anna Virena, 1880-

Rice, Anna Virena, 1880-
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Roelofs, Henrietta, 1878-1942
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Roelofs, Henrietta, 1878-1942

Roelofs, Henrietta, 1878-1942
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Simms, Florence, 1873-1923
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Simms, Florence, 1873-1923

Simms, Florence, 1873-1923
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Simons, Savilla (Millis)
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Simons, Savilla (Millis)

Simons, Savilla (Millis)
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

Wright, Sara-Alyce
type: Concept
in scheme: lcnaf
focus: Wright, Sara-Alyce

Wright, Sara-Alyce
type: Person
type: Agent
type: E21 Person

American College for Girls (Istanbul, Turkey)
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: americancollegeforgirlsistanbulturkey

American Labor Education Service
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: americanlaboreducationservice

Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: studentvolunteermovementforforeignmissions

United Service Organizations (U.S.)
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: unitedserviceorganizationsus

United States--Armed Forces--Women--History--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: unitedstates--armedforces--women--history--sources

World Student Christian Federation
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: worldstudentchristianfederation

World Young Women's Christian Association
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: worldyoungwomenschristianassociation

Young Men's Christian Association
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: youngmenschristianassociation

Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: youngwomenschristianassociationoftheusa--history

Young Women's Christian Associations--India--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: youngwomenschristianassociations--india--history

Young Women's Christian Associations--Latin America--History
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: youngwomenschristianassociations--latinamerica--history

Young Women's Christian Associations--Turkey
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: youngwomenschristianassociations--turkey

Asia--Description and travel--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: asia--descriptionandtravel--sources

China--Description and travel--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: china--descriptionandtravel--sources

China--History--1912-1949--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: china--history--1912-1949--sources

East Asia--Description and travel--Sources
type: Concept
in scheme: lcsh
focus: eastasia--descriptionandtravel--sources