This collection consists of the records
of the YWCA of Missoula which was chartered in April of 1911. Since its
inception, YWCA of Missoula has offered educational programs and social support
for women in Missoula, Montana. The YWCA continues to operate from its
headquarters in Missoula, Montana.
Repository:
University of Montana-Missoula
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special
Collections
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) is a membership
movement whose first establishment was opened in England in 1855. The YWCA was
established as a Christian organization that provided opportunities in
education and religious classes as well as social and religious support systems
for women. In 1858 the first organization was established in the United States,
and in 1898, the World YWCA was organized by the United States, England,
Sweden, and Norway. Today the YWCA operates in over 120 countries with over 300
associations in the United States at almost 1,100 locations.
The YWCA of Missoula was chartered in April of 1911 with its
headquarters on the corner of Broadway and Pattee Street. During the years
between 1911 and 1932, the YWCA organized educational and religious programs
for young women, social programs for young men and women, and a cafeteria that
offered low-cost and balanced meals to the public. In addition, the YWCA
offered a hostel for young women.
In 1932, due to the effects of Great Depression, the building that had
been occupied by the YWCA of Missoula was sold and the Y was forced to move its
headquarters, shut down the cafeteria and the hostel, and decentralize its
programs. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the YWCA continued to offer
educational and religious programs for young women as well as job counseling
and skills-training for displaced housewives. The organization utilized the
facilities of The University of Montana and local high schools to keep programs
running. Additionally, a group known as Girl Reserves, an organization for
school-aged girls, was formed. Week-long summer camps began to be held for the
Girl Reserves.
Beginning in 1946, the YWCA moved to a space above the Missoula
Chamber of Commerce at 207 East Main Street. The Live Y-ers were started in
1946, and this group held alcohol-free dances and weekend programs for young
men and women. The Y-Teens were formed for girls ages 12-17 and the group
participated in camps, Friday night parties, courses and service projects.
After relocating five times since its inception, the YWCA made the
decision, and raised the funds, to buy a building at 600 Orange Street in 1962.
In 1965, the National YWCA established an Office of Civil Justice to lead
nation-wide civil rights efforts and changed its mission in 1970 to include the
elimination of racism as a key goal along with empowering women. Locally, the
YWCA of Missoula began offering counseling services and sex education classes.
The organization relocated to 1130 West Broadway in 1976. In 1977, the
YWCA opened the Battered Women’s Shelter which provided 24-hour care and
shelter to women and children who were victims of domestic violence. The YWCA
also provided training and programs for women transitioning from abusive homes
to living on their own and as single mothers.
In 1977, the YWCA opened the Nearly New Store at 1136 West Broadway.
The store sold used clothing, accessories, and other items and proceeds were
used to fund YWCA programs. In 1987, the store’s name changed to Secret Seconds
and in 2005 a second Secret Seconds store was opened at 920 Kensington. A third
location was opened in 2009 at 1221 Helen Avenue.
In 2006 the organization changed its name to YWCA Missoula. In 2011,
YWCA Missoula celebrated the 100 year anniversary of its charter. YWCA Missoula
continues to support and fund an emergency shelter for women and children
escaping domestic violence as well as providing programs for the empowerment of
women and the elimination of racism.
Content Description
The YWCA of Missoula Records have been divided into three Series.
Series I, Administrative Records, contains YWCA of Missoula Board of Directors
meeting minutes, correspondence, budget and financial documents, membership
lists, newsletters, and reports. Of particular interest are correspondence, and
meeting minutes during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s when the national YWCA
changed its mission to include the elimination of racisim and the empowerment
of women. Early YWCA records, from the organization’s charter in 1911 through
the early 1950s, were not transferred to the Archives and it is unknown if they
exist.
The largest series in this collection is Series II which contains
scrapbooks of clippings, photographs and miscellaneous items documenting the
development of the YWCA of Missoula. These scrapbooks run from 1919 through the
1990s and provide insight into not only the history of the YWCA of Missoula,
but also the history of the relationship between the local YWCA and the
national YWCA. Items of additional interest include scrapbooks that document
the founding of YWCA of Missoula’s battered women’s shelter. The battered
women’s shelter scrapbooks also document the evolution in the way domestic
violence was viewed by the American public. Series III of the collection
contains photographs which are not identified and have not been organized. This
series contains mostly unlabeled images of YWCA summer camps, meetings and
additional activities.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of
Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and
The University of Montana-Missoula. A small number of folders containing
information about clients of YWCA programs have been restricted until 70 years
past their creation date.
Restrictions on Use :
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and
any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive copyright transferred to The
University of Montana.
Preferred Citation :
[Name of document or photograph number], YWCA of Missoula Records,
Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The
University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
This collection has been divided into three series:
Series I: Administrative Records, 1911-1990, 5.75 linear feet
Series II: Scrapbooks, 1919-1997, 17.75 linear feet
Series III: Photographs, circa 1945-2003 and undated, 4.5 linear feet
Custodial History :
The collection was in the possession of the YWCA of Missoula until its
donation to the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. The initial donation was
made in 2002 and additions were donated in 2003 and 2011. Some items were
borrowed back from the Archives by YWCA staff in 2008 and not returned to the
collection.
Acquisition Information :
Donated to the Archives by YWCA staff in 2002, 2003 and 2011.
Processing Note :
Materials arrived at the Archives after being moved several times as
the YWCA relocated its headquarters. The original order or arrangement of the
files was difficult to discern and the collection was organized at the Archives
into series that roughly reflect material format. The majority of the files
have been arranged alphabetically with runs such as correspondence, meeting
minutes, and annual reports further arranged chronologically. Original order
within folders was maintained.
Separated Materials :
After the donation of the materials to the Archives, a portion of
items, including photographs, were borrowed back by the YWCA of Missoula in
2008 and were not returned to the Archives.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Administrative Records, 1911-1990
5.75 linear feet
This series contains paper materials including correspondence,
Board of Directors’ meeting minutes, annual reports, budget and financial
information, membership lists, and newsletters. Although early paper materials
from 1911 through 1950 are not present, the series contains a complete run of
Board of Directors’ meeting minutes from the early 1950s through the 1980s.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
1/1
Anniversary - 70th , 1981-1981
1/2
Anniversary - 75th , 1986-1986
1/3
Anniversary Luncheon - 75th , 1986-1986
1/4
Annual Meeting, Speech, 1951-1951
1/5
Annual Report, 1950-1950
1/6
Annual Report, 1952-1952
1/7
Annual Report, 1953-1953
1/8
Annual Report, 1955-1955
1/9
Annual Report, 1956-1956
1/10
Annual Reports, 1966-1969
1/11
Association Review, 1978-1978
1/12
Association Review, Documents and Progress
Reports, 1972-1975
1/13
Association Review, Documents and Progress
Reports, 1975-1975
1/14
Bequests, Will of Olive M. Riechel, 1969-1969
1/15
Board of Directors and Committee Rosters, 1951-1954
1/16
Board of Directors, Annual Meeting Booklets and
Reports, 1929-1943
2/1
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1951-1951
2/2
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1952-1952
2/3
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1953-1953
2/4
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1954-1954
2/5
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1955-1955
2/6
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1969-1970
2/7
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1971-1971
2/8
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1972-1972
2/9
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1973-1973
2/10
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1974-1974
2/11
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1975-1975
2/12
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1976-1976
3/1
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1977-1977
3/2-3
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1978-1978
3/4-5
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1979-1979
3/6
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1980-1981
3/7
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1982-1983
3/8
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1984-1984
3/9
Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 1985-1986
3/10
Board of Directors, Projects and Materials, 1964-1967
3/11
Budget, 1951-1951
3/12
Budget, 1965-1973
3/13
Budget, 1974-1974
4/1
Budget, 1975-1975
4/2
Budget, 1976-1977
4/3
Budget, Appeal to United Way, 1978-1979
4/4
Budget, Draft to United Way, 1976-1978
4/5
Budget, Preparation and Rough Copies, 1977-1977
4/6
Bueget, United Way Budget and Notes, 1976-1977
4/7
Building and Grounds, circa 1977
4/8
Building, 1965 Annex to 600 Orange Street, Fund
Drive, 1965-1965
4/9
Building, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorarity House, Fund
Drive, 1973-1973
4/10
Building, Community Hospital Site, Fund
Drive, 1971-1972
4/11-12
Building Fund Drive, 1975-1978
5/1
Building, Fundraising Committee, Notes, 1975-1975
5/2
Building, Milwaukee Railroad Site, Fund
Drive, 1970-1970
5/3
Building Plans and Documents, 1130 West
Broadway, 1975-1977
5/4
Bureau of Land Management, 1965-1966
5/5
Business Correspondence, 1977-1978
5/6
Centennial Dinner and Auction, Agreement, 1983-1983
5/7
Christmas Luncheon, Agenda and Invitation, 1978-1978
5/8
Clippings, 1922-1985
5/9
Committee Duties, circa 1950
5/10
Conferences Consultation on the Job Market and Career
Development for Teen Women, 1974-1974
This series contains scrapbooks created by the YWCA of Missoula.
The scrapbooks contain clippings, photographs, and miscellaneous materials that
document the history of the YWCA of Missoula, the history of the YWCA of
Missoula’s battered women’s shelter, and the experiences had by the Girl
Reserves at YWCA summer camps. Scrapbooks form an almost complete run from 1919
through 1997.
Container(s)
Description
Box
OS 12
American Y-Teen Scrapbook from The Happy
Club, 1956 and undated
This series contains photographs that have not yet been identified
or organized. The photographs appear to be of the YWCA of Missoula’s summer
camp participants as well as of other activities.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Corporate Names :
YWCA of
Missoula--Archives
Geographical Names :
Missoula
(Mont.)--Social conditions.
Subject Terms :
Abused women--Services
for--Montana--Missoula
Anti-racism--Montana--Missoula
Family
violence--Montana--Missoula
Women--Montana--Missoula--Societies and clubs
Women's
shelters--Montana--Missoula
Women--Services
for--Montana--Missoula
Young Women's Christian
associations--Montana--Missoula
