Title
To honor the YWCA Columbus on the 125th year of its existence and involvement in the community.
Body
WHEREAS, the YWCA Columbus first came into existence 125 years ago in 1886 when five women founded the local chapter of the organization; and
WHEREAS, during the time period of World War I, Mary Sessions donated a facility that housed hundreds of area women; and
WHEREAS, in 1910, the YWCA Columbus founded the first child-care facility in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, in 1929, through the funding of Mary Griswold, the YWCA received its permanent home in downtown Columbus--- the Griswold Building; and
WHEREAS, also during World War I, YWCA Columbus created a center for African-American women and girls, providing emergency housing and hostess houses for African-American troops; and
WHEREAS, in the 1940s and 1950s, YWCA Columbus pushed integration of racially-segregated YWCA housing facilities across the country; and
WHEREAS, YWCA Columbus touches the lives of more than 40,000 women and families through thoughtfully-planned and critically-needed programs that support and empower women; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor the YWCA Columbus on the 125th year of its existence and involvement in the community.