Young Women's Christian Association Photographs, 1913-1965

Overview of the Collection

Title
Young Women's Christian Association Photographs
Dates
1913-1965 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 container, (2 linear feet)
Collection Number
PC 57
Summary
A collection of black and white photographs from the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) at WSU. The bulk of pictures are from Seabeck located near Hood Canal where an annual meeting was held.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The YWCA of Washington State College was established in 1895. It provided the women of the college a place to worship, held bible classes, locate housing and employment. It also served as a social organization that participated with the YWCA of Washington State College. A popular social event in the 1910's-1930's were the conferences held at Seabeck, (located on Washington's Hood's Canal). Topics at Seabeck focused on issues of the YWCA's and YMCA's of the Pacific Northwest.

During the 1940's the chapter concentrated on global issues, the YWCA had plans to send care packages overseas although the lack of funds prohibited such action. In the 1950's-1960's the organization studied politics and world relations, presenting programs on various subjects, including the war in Vietnam and the Democratic system. In 1969 the YWCA adopted the imperative "the elimination of racism". Programs of the 1970's and the 1980's offered more projects on cultural awareness in the United States.

Membership grew steadily throughout the years, peaking in 1954 with 711 members. In 1972 the membership had dropped to 219 members. The student body provided sole support for the YWCA until 1917 when the University partially funded the secretary's salary. Other assistance was provided by the Helen A. Fuller Endowment Fund established by Fuller in 1929. Presently, the United Way supports over 75% of the YWCA budget.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

All of the images are black and white. The bulk of pictures are from Seabeck; those images are arranged in chronological order. There are additional pictures located in the Washington State Publications Office records, PC 1. Oversized materials are listed at the end of the collection, and stoed separately in map cases.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

The records of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were acquired by the Washington State University Libraries in May of 1987.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder
1 Freshman Rush 1955
2 Group Photo 1947-1948
3 Group Photo, primarily women undated
4 Group Photo, primarily men undated
5 Miscellaneous 1950
6 Miscellaneous undated
7 National Convention 1922
8 Nursery School undated
9 Quartette, The Woods, Officers 1918-1924
10 Rooms and Houses undated
map_case
11 1925-1927
Folder
12 1954, undated
13 undated
14 undated
map_case
15 Smorgasbord 1955
Folder
16 Speakers - Educational Functions 1923-1949
map_case
12 1924-1932
Folder
17 Trucks undated
18 YWCA Conference, Gearhart OR (rolled in box) 1913
oversized
19 Seabeck 1923-1949
20 Seabeck 1924-1932
21 National Convention, Hot Springs AR 1922
21 Spring 1950

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • College students -- Religious life -- Photographs.
  • Student activities -- Photographs.
  • Washington State University -- Societies, etc. -- Photographs.
  • YMCA (Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.) -- Photographs.
  • YWCA (Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.) -- Photographs.