YWCA of Wichita

is honored with a Brick from the YWCA of Wichita.

Historical Review of the YWCA of Wichita
1800's

1855 First YWCA founded in London, England
1858
First YWCA founded in United States New York City
1900's
1906
YWCA of Wichita, Kansas became Chartered Member
A residence was established for women away from home.
Employment aid was provided.
Lunchroom was opened to provide working women with an economical, well-balanced meal.

1910s
A larger residence was purchased.
Employment Bureau was opened.

1920s
Mary Talbert Bureau was opened to meet the needs of Black women and girls.
Young Business Women's League began.

1930s
Helped organize USO

1940s
YWCA cafeteria was the first eating establishment in Wichita to welcome Blacks.

1950s
Two-By-Two program began (Black and White women would go together to restaurants, theaters, etc.)

1960s
Mom's Day Out and Solo Parent programs began.
Pre-kindergarten program began at the Northeast Center.
YWCA entered capital building fund drive to erect new building at 350 N. Market. The new facility was completed in 1967.

1970s
YWCA organized Monica House, Big Sisters, and Work Options for Women.
YWCA Women's Crisis Center, a 24-hour shelter for battered women, is opened.
Started YWCA Displaced Homemakers Program (now called EARN), a program providing support and employment services to women displaced by separation, divorce or widowed.

Introduced ENCORE program for women who have undergone a mastectomy.
Programs for the developmentally disabled and/or handicapped are expanded.

1980s
Purchased a new home for the YWCA Women's Crisis Center.
Camp Kaleidoscope, a summer camp designed for children from violent homes, was developed.
Mother-To-Mother Ministry formed to provide middle and low-income mothers with intentional friendships and assistance.
Grief Recovery Program began serving widowed persons with counseling and assistance.
YWCA became the monitoring agency for the DUI Victims Services Program, now a stand-alone agency.
Lynette Woodard Basketball League began teaching young girls teamwork and competition.

1990s
Attended events during the visit by Russian President Boris Yeltsin to work toward a goal of comprehensive peace.

Sponsored Leader Lunch and Women in Community luncheon lecture series to recognize outstanding women in the community.

1991
Started National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism and related activities.
1994
Week Without Violence project started in October.
1997
Started Hoopin For Joy, young girls basketball league with no barriers.
1998
Launched capital campaign for new shelter, programming and endowment.
PAST PRESIDENTS

1906-08
Mrs. Hiram Imboden
1908-19
Mrs. Robert Piatt
1919-22
Mrs. J.C. Brown
1922-23
Mrs. C.A. Magill
1923-26
Mrs. Walter Parrott
1926-29
Mrs. Charles Kahrs
1929-31
Mrs. Walter Wintle
1931-35
Mrs. W.S. Handley
1935-37
Mrs. J.E. Boyer
1937-38
Mrs. W.G. Wintle
1938-39
Mrs. H.D. Ayers
1939-40
Mrs. Max A. Noble
1940-43
Mrs. H.W. Ralstin
1943-46
Mrs. John W. Meloy
1946-47
Mrs. A.E. Aufderhar
1947-48
Mrs. C.V. Waddington
1948-49
Mrs. Alanson Foreman
1949-51
Mrs. Leslie Knapp
1951-52
Mrs. Marvin Elliott
1952-54
Mrs. H.H. Baker
1954-56
Mrs. John Muchener
1956-58
Mrs. M.S. Haigh
1958-62
Ethel Smith
1962-63
Alys Tatlock
1963-64
Lois Foreman
1964-65
Alys Tatlock
1965-67
Sadie Harms
1967-68
Marie Smith
1968-69
Billie Winkler
1969-70
Mary Ellen Barrier
1970-71
Bonnie Eaton
1971-72
Fern Van Gieson
1972-74
Gwen Bell
1974-76
Darnell Grubbs
1976
Ethel Smith
1976-78
Alberta Reynolds
1978-79
Sharon Poindexter
1979-80
Fran Vannoy
1981
Nola Tedesco Foulston
1981-82
Ellen Vanderburg
1984-85
Ethel Smith
1986-87
Linda Ayala
1988-89
Ruth Ann Messner
1990-91
Mary E. May
1991-93
Donna Hale Ard
1994-95
Frances Jackson
1996
Diane J. Ellis
1997-present
Carolyn D. Conley

June 23, 1999