Cur rent Prog rams:
Racial Justice
Racism
women
Eliminating
empowering
YWCA
www.ywca-greateraustin.org
Economic Advancement Generation YW
YWCA Counseling and Referral Center
YWCA Continuing Education Series
YWCA of Greater Austin 2015 South IH 35 Suite 110 Austin, TX 78741 info@ywcaaustin.org 512•326•1222 Voice 512•326•1395 Fax
E
stablished in 1885, the Young Women’s
We met opposition when we allowed the
Christian Association began providing
Austin Draft Information Center to use
social opportunities for the women of
our facilities, which led to the YWCA
academia. As the 1920s roared into America,
losing our tax exempt status for a short
the YWCA of Greater Austin established
time. But we understood the importance
and ran an employment bureau for the
of our mission and did not allow it to
women of the University of Texas. Not only
become compromised, we continued
were these ladies committed to helping their
to stand our ground in the fight for
colleagues in obtaining employment, but
equality and empowerment.
they also ventured out into the community
Throughout the 1970s we established
collaborating with the National YWCA to
and nurtured, Co-operative daycare
establish Austin’s International Institute.
facilities, Austin Community Gardens, Gay
This partnership encouraged a better
Community Services, Jail Arts and Education
understanding between native and foreign-
Program, WomenSpace, Communiversity—
born people as well as assisting immigrants
which provided free classes.
transition into American life. By the 1930s
In 1982 the YWCA continued to expand
& 40s, we partnered with the University
with the creation of:
of Texas YMCA and enjoyed a close working relationship for over 40 years. During the turbulent 50s & 60s, we became allies in the demand for
• YWCA Women of the Year Award Soirée • Austin Women’s Addiction Resources & Education
equality. Staging sit ins at the lunch
• AWARE
counter of the Renfrom Drug Store,
• OutYouth
our activism continued, and grew to encompass the Vietnam war.
• YWCA Student Association
Today, we are still working to carry out our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women with our current programs: • YW Counseling & Referral Center • Generation YW • Continuing Education Series • TransNationals • ¡Vamos a Jugar!/Let’s Play! • Hand In Hand, and more Our commitment to sisterhood and healthy communities is apparent in everything that we do. From 1885 to 2014, and beyond, our dedication has, will, and continues to thrive.