About Us

Women Smiling on the Stairs, Women's Resources, YWCA Greater Green Bay

YWCA Greater Green Bay is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Whether we are developing childcare curriculum, partnering with local organizations to provide programming for underserved communities, directly addressing inequities in our community in our Community Conversations series, or planning group classes that promote wellness and achieve personal goals – our mission drives everything we do.

We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

The YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.

Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1914. Over the past 108 years, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen clubs, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, child care centers, a youth resource center, and aquatics programming.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

YWCA MISSION

Our Values

A Compassionate Community

Women Standing Together, Women's Empowerment, YWCA Greater Green Bay

A Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle

Woman Exercising, Health & Safety, YWCA Greater Green Bay

Collaboration

People Working Together, Career Closet

What is YWCA Social Justice Work?

What it is not

Black and Brown Leaders, Eliminating Racism, YWCA Greater Green Bay
Racial Justice Work, Eliminating Racism, YWCA Greater Green Bay

What it is

Racial Justice Work, Eliminating Racism, YWCA Greater Green Bay
Board Recruitment, Social Justice, YWCA Greater Green Bay

Key Dates in YWCA History

  • 1858

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

  • 1919

    A meeting was held to organize a YWCA chapter in Green Bay. The goal was to provide young women with an appropriate place to meet, rest during their noon hour, and buy lunch at a moderate price.

  • 1920s

    Luncheon spot, job preparation classes, assistance for working women to find safe boarding houses

  • 1940s

    Crisis intervention and programs to war brides

  • 1946

    Interracial Charter adopted, starting the process of desegregation

  • 1960s

    Membership and leadership positions opened to non-Christians. Girl Reserves.

  • 1963

    Direct Action Program begun to ensure full desegregation in community YWCAs

  • 1970

    The One Imperative (“To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”) adopted

  • 1980s

    Licensed childcare

  • 1990s

    Cancer support, teen parenting, and economic self-sufficiency

  • 2000s

    Women’s empowerment and diversity programs

  • 2015

    Corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”

  • Today

    YWCA remains at the forefront of women’s issues, driven by its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Learn more about YWCA’s history

Women in the City, Empowering Women, YWCA Greater Green Bay

  • 1920s: Luncheon spot, job preparation classes, assistance for working women to find safe boarding houses

  • 1940s: Crisis intervention and programs to war brides

  • 1960s: Girl Reserves

  • 1980s: Licensed childcare

  • 1990s: Cancer support, teen parenting, and economic self-sufficiency

  • 2000s: Women’s empowerment and diversity programs

Our YWCA History

On May 1, 1919, a meeting was held to organize a YWCA chapter in Green Bay. The goal was to provide young women with an appropriate place to meet, rest during their noon hour, and buy lunch at a moderate price. Under the leadership of its first president, Miss Euphemia Jane Kay, YWCA Greater Green Bay opened its doors at the corner of Cherry and Adams streets in downtown Green Bay. Within the first year, 1,500 women joined. Community leaders pledged $13,963, and national affiliation was won.

For more than 100 years, YWCA Greater Green Bay has been a pioneer in empowering women and eliminating racism within the community by adapting its services and programming to meet the needs of each generation.

Today, the YWCA remains at the forefront of women’s issues, driven by its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We are steadfast in our commitment to provide programs and services that fulfill our vision of empowering women and children in an environment that promotes racial and cultural acceptance for all. Learn more about YWCA USA’s history.