Old Missoula

YWCA Articles Signed in 1913

The Missoula Young Women’s Christian Association was organized in February 1911 and the articles of incorporation were signed Feb. 2, 1913, by Marion E. Kellogg and Sadie H. Fox.

First members of the board were Mrs. Frank Keith, Mrs. Harold High, Mrs. George F. Fox and Mrs. G. A. Ketcham. Mrs. W. F. Book, wife of a Montana State University faculty member, was the first president.

Program Adapted

From the beginning the program was adapted to meet the ever widening professional and emotional interests of young women, providing programs for teenagers, Ladies’ Day Out for young mothers known as YW-Wives group, YWCA residences, classes and assistance in foreign services. The YWCA did not become a member of the Community Chest locally until the 1930s.

The purpose of the YWCA is : “To build a fellowship of women and girls devoted to the task of realizing in our common life those ideals of personal and social living to which we are committed by our faith as Christians. In this endeavor we seek to understand Jesus, to share His love for all the people and to grow in the knowledge and love of God.”

The YWCA movement began in England and spread to the United States in 1858. It was brought about to improve the situation of women caused by the Industrial Revolution and the Crimean War. Women’s place in the home was changing as a result of the developments in industry, and prayer was the weapon chosen to begin the fight to improve working women’s living conditions in the United States.

Continues to Grow

The Missoula association has continued to grow and attempts to serve the community through its youth and adult programs. The board of directors meets monthly. Officers for 1960-61 are Mrs. A. F. Christiani, president; Mrs. Alton Brechbill, vice president; Mrs. Oscar Lympus, secretary; Mrs. George Mugridge, treasurer, and Mrs. W. E. Steuerwald, immediate past president.