The Hattiesburg YWCA Records
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of a variety of materials reflecting the history of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, from its charter in 1924, to its merger with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1984.
This collection should be of interest to researchers of women's and girls' organizations, or women's history, and may also be of interest to researchers of the history of Hattiesburg.
Dates
- Creation: 1924-1984
Creator
- Young Women's Christian Association of Hattiesburg (Miss.). YWCA of Hattiesburg (1924-1984) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is the oldest and largest multiracial women's organization in the world, with more than 2.5 million members and participants in over 80 countries. The organization traces its roots to London, England, where in 1855, a group of women led by Emma Robarts, formed a young women's association for the purpose of locating housing for nurses returning from the Crimean War (1853-1856). At approximately the same time, another group of London women began organizing prayer circles, and in 1877, the two groups merged to become the YWCA.
In the United States, groundwork for the YWCA was laid in 1858, when the Ladies Christian Association, which was similar to the London groups, was formed in New York City, and in 1866, the first YWCA was organized in Boston. Organizations continued to spring up throughout the East and Midwest, and in 1906, they all united as the YWCA of the United States of America, with headquarters in New York City. The organization currently operates in all U. S states except Alaska, and is a charter member of the World YWCA, which was founded in 1894, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The YWCA is based on Christian principles, with the objective of shaping a better society by helping girls and women to develop their full potential. Toward that end, it is open to women and girls of all faiths and backgrounds. Its programs are a combination of service and social action, and are geared toward eliminating racism; enhancing opportunities for women, minorities, and young people; and combating crime and delinquency. Two prominent groups within the YWCA are the Student YWCA, found on many college campuses, and the Y-Teens (originally called Girl Reserves), a program for girls aged 12 to 18. Y-Teen clubs operate through junior and senior high schools, and meet on a weekly basis, on school time.
At the community level, there are two distinct types of YWCAs -- the City Association and the District Association. The former operates within the boundaries of a particular community, and the latter can cover a county, or an entire state. While program content can vary from one district to another, a sampling of services and activities offered by local YWCAs includes child-care centers, classes, discussion groups, food services, and health education. They also provide counseling, job placement services, leadership training programs, recreational activities, and residential facilities.
The Mississippi District YWCA, founded in 1918, grew out of the interest in, and need for, girls clubs in the state. The National YWCA assisted in formation of the state group, and in 1921, Miss Eva Horner was sent from the national staff to become the first full time secretary of the organization. In 1938, the Mississippi District purchased Camp Rockbrook, near Macon, Mississippi, which was used as a Y-Teen summer camp.
The YWCA of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was organized in 1917, primarily in response to a request from the War Work Council. Its initial purpose was to look after the wives and daughters of soldiers stationed at Camp Shelby. It was not until April 17, 1924, that the organization was chartered by the state of Mississippi as a non-profit corporation. Until 1927, when the YWCA Building was erected at 315 Hemphill Street, the organization operated from rented quarters. In the beginning, it was supported by voluntary contributions; later, its primary source of income was the United Givers Fund (now the United Way). A relatively minor source of income was fees for use of YWCA facilities.
The Hattiesburg YWCA offered a wide range of community services, as well as, social and recreational activities. Among them were morning and evening church services each Sunday; a room registry service which assisted young women from out of town in finding places to live; and job placement services. Activities included fitness classes, badminton, tennis, ping-pong, basketball, and free swimming lessons. During World War II, the YWCA made a special effort to include the families of servicemen stationed at Camp Shelby in its activities, and assisted wives of servicemen in locating living quarters. It also helped visitors of soldiers to find temporary lodging. The war effort was further aided by allowing the local Red Cross Blood Plasma Unit to occupy the entire YWCA Building several times per year.
The Hattiesburg YWCA sponsored a Y-Teen Club at Hattiesburg High School, which met weekly during activity period. Hiking, swimming, and parties were some of the activities enjoyed by the Y-Teens, but the girls were also required to participate in certain community service projects. Two perennial projects were providing a Christmas tree and gifts for underprivileged children, and packing a box of Christmas gifts for an inmate at Columbia Industrial School, the state's juvenile correctional facility at Columbia, Mississippi.
In 1936, a stay-at-home camp for girls aged six to eleven was initiated at the Hattiesburg YWCA, and became one of its most popular programs for young girls, averaging 100-150 girls each summer. It operated as a day camp, and participants enjoyed games, music, storytelling, swimming, and outdoor lunches.
In 1982, the YWCA and YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) of Hattiesburg were combined -- both groups believing that by pooling their resources, they could not only continue to offer existing services, but expand opportunities to provide a much needed family ministry. The move, initiated by the YWCA, was motivated by financial concerns, and the deteriorating condition of its facilities. Conditions of the merger, which was finalized in 1984, were that all assets of the YWCA, including proceeds from the sale of the Hemphill Street facility (sold in 1982 to a group of attorneys who renovated it for offices) would be transferred to, and become the property of the YMCA, and that the title of the surviving corporation would be the YMCA of Hattiesburg, to be domiciled at 300 North 12th Avenue. A further condition was that the YMCA would operate under the name "Pine Belt Family YMCA", indicating that it would serve the entire family, and an entire geographic area.
Goals of the Pine Belt Family YMCA are: To provide and promote leadership skills and opportunities for youth; to enrich family life through education and involvement in family-coordinated activities: and to foster a positive attitude toward the pursuit of health-related activities.
At this writing, a new home for the Pine Belt Family YMCA is under construction on U. S. Highway 11, about three miles south of Hattiesburg, near the Interstate Highway 59 interchange, and is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 1994.
Throughout its sixty-five year history, the YWCA of Hattiesburg provided a place for girls and women to assemble in a Christian setting. And its continuing commitment to community service is exemplified by its decision to merge with the YMCA, rather than abandon its programs in the face of dwindling resources.
Extent
.90 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Series:
Board of Directors
A photostatic copy of the organization's charter of incorporation begins the collection, and is followed by copies of its constitution and by-laws. Next is a series of materials entitled, Board of Directors, which has been divided into two subseries -- "Members" and "Minutes". The subseries, "Members", consists of lists of YWCA Board of Directors members between 1929 and 1981, and the subseries "Minutes", contains records of the Board's monthly meetings from 1969 to 1974. The minutes are a good source of information on the activities of the YWCA during the brief time span covered by them. Of particular interest in this series is a letter from the National YWCA Board (dated October 23, 1973, and attached to the November 1973 minutes). The subject of the letter is the possible affiliation of the Hattiesburg YWCA with the national organization, and the writer implies that if the local group chooses to remain separate, it must discontinue use of the YWCA name and symbols.
Handbooks
This series is succeeded by three handbooks: "Mississippi District Handbook for YWCA Adult Groups" (1970); "Handbook for Y-Teen Adviser" (ca. 1968); and "This and That About Y-Teens" (ca. 1968). While the handbooks were designed as guides for group leaders, they also spell out the purposes of the YWCA in some detail.
Financial Reports
Next are annual reports of YWCA activities between approximately 1940 and 1972. Many of the reports contain a brief history of the organization, along with a rundown of the year's activities. Following the annual reports are Program Director's reports (November 1975 and January 1981), and a series of financial reports which itemize income and disbursement for 1973 through 1982.
Federal Income Tax Documents
Federal income tax documents (1973-1984), consisting primarily of employees' wage and tax statements; federal tax returns for exempt organizations; and correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service are next. These are followed by a document that explains the details and conditions of the 1984 YWCA-YMCA merger.
Photographs
Rounding out the collection are correspondence, newsclippings, a magazine article, and a substantial collection of photographs. The photographs depict some of the YWCA's activities, such as swimming, Y-Teen banquets, and sewing classes, and also reflect various alterations to both the interior and exterior of the YWCA Building over the years. Changes in women's fashions and hairstyles are illustrated, as well.
Provenance
Materials in this collection were donated by Mr. Van Lowry, Executive Director of the Pine Belt Family YMCA, on April 14, 1992
Photograph Log
2 X 4 1939 B & W
Possibly at Camp Rockbrook in Macon, Mississippi.
Inscription: “1939 Camp Counselors”
M274-2 Boys swimming
2 x 4 ca. 1936 B & W
Group of young boys swimming in a creek or river.
Photographer: Beasley’s Studio
M274-3 Men posed with automobile
2 x 4 ca. 1930s B & W
Men posed with automobile in front of "Y" building.
M274-4 Boys posed with handcrafted chair
2 x 4 ca. 1930s B & W
Two boys standing on either side of a large wooden chair.
Inscription: Woodcraft
M274-5 Boys posed with dogs
2 x 4 ca. 1936 B & W
Two boys - each with hands placed on dog's shoulders.
Photographer: Beasley’s Studio
M274-6 People swimming
2 x 4 June 1936 B & W
People swimming in unidentified creek or river.
Photographer: Beasley’s Studio
M274-7 Three snakes
2 x 4 ca. 1936 B & W
Tree snakes stretched out on a newspaper.
M274-8 Girls in front of Hattiesburg YWCA Building
8 X 10 1941 B & W
Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-9 Girls in front of Hattiesburg YWCA Building
8 x 10 ca. 1940s B & W
Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-10 Unidentified all girl orchestra
8 X 10 1944 B & W
Members of orchestra wearing evening dresses and posed on-stage with instruments. Male conductor in foreground. Copyright 1944, Universal Pictures Co., Inc.
M274-11 Group of people gathered around flagpole at YWCA Building
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Probably YWCA Board of Directors and staff members.
Inscription: “Y.W.C.A.”
M274-12 Group of girls in YWCA Gym
4 x 8 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls, some standing, some seated on floor of gymnasium. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-13 Girls posed outside of Hattiesburg YWCA Building
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls on steps and sidewalk of YWCA Building. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-14 Group posed on stage in YWCA Building
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-15 Group posed on stage in YWCA Building
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-16 Group posed on stage in YWCA Building
5 x 8 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-17 Group posed on floor of YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Large group of young girls seated on floor of gymnasium. Possibly YWCA day campers.
M274-18 Girls playing game in YWCA
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Three girls on floor, rolling spools with heads. Other girls standing in background.
Photographer: Dixie Photo Service
M274-19 Girls set to run foot race
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Ten girls, approximately seven to ten years of age.
M274-20 Women and girls in swimsuits
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Seven women and seven girls at YWCA swimming pool. Younger girl sitting in chair in background.
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-21 Large group posed at YWCA Swimming Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Most of the group are in the pool. Small number, wearing street clothes, are standing on deck.
M274-22 Large group posed at YWCA Swimming Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Most of the group are posed on the edge of the pool, others are in the water.
M274-23 Swimmers in formation
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Swimmers are in a circle, with one swimmer in the center.
Photographer: Mozingo Studio
Inscription: “YWCA Swimming Class”
M274-24 Swimmers in a line
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Swimmers are swimming in a line which stretches from one side of the pool to the other. One swimmer is out in front, possibly an instructor.
M274-25 Swimmers enjoying YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Swimmers frolic in pool, while others, on deck, prepare to jump in.
M274-26 Boy and girl in party attire
5 x 7 ca. 1950s B & W
Girl seated on wrought iron bench - boy behind bench.
M274-27 Banquet in YWCA Gym
5 x 7 ca. 1950s B & W
Banquet in YWCA Gym.
M274-28 Large group of teenage girls posed outdoors
5 x 7 ca. 1950s B & W
Probably Hattiesburg High School Y-Teens Club.
M274-29 Large group of teenage girls on steps of church
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Posed on steps of First Presbyterian Church.
M274-30 Hattiesburg High School Y-Teens Valentine Banquet
8 x 10 ca. 1955 B & W
Girls and escorts partially identified on back of photo.
M274-31 Hattiesburg High School Y-Teen Club
8 X 10 1955 B & W
Club members are seated in auditorium of old Hattiesburg High School Building on North Main Street. Members identified on the back of the photograph.
Inscription: “1955 Y-Teens”
M274-32 Hattiesburg High School Y-Teens Club
8 X 10 1955 B & W
Club members are seated in auditorium of old Hattiesburg High School Building on North Main Street. Members identified on the back of the photograph.
Inscription: “1955 Y-Teens”
M274-33 Maureen Mitchell and June Greer
8 x 10 June 1956 B & W
Maureen and June are dressed in shorts and shirts and are seated on a side walk facing each other. Their hands are clasped around their knees in a pose.
M274-34 Party in YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Teenage girls enjoy refreshments. Gym is decorated with crepe paper streamers.
M274-35 Candle ceremony in YWCA
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Girls holding candles stand facing an audience with their backs toward the camera.
M274-36 Party in YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Several teenage girls enjoy refreshments. Gym is decorated with crepe paper streamers. Sign says “Your portrait painted by Michel Angelo”.
M274-37 Girls playing ping pong and badminton in YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Two girls playing ping pong and two girls playing badminton, all are wearing dresses.
M274-38 Girls playing badminton in YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Three girls playing badminton, one girl in background playing ping pong, all are wearing dresses.
M274-39 Girls playing ping pong and badminton in YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Two girls in foreground playing ping pong. Three girls in background playing badminton. All are wearing dresses.
M274-40 Six girls with hands clasped around badminton racket
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
These girls also appear in photos M274-37 Thru M274-39.
M274-41 Girls trimming Christmas tree
8 x 10 ca. 1950s B & W
Four girls working on decorating a Christmas tree. Christmas stockings are arranged beneath the tree.
Inscription: “YWCA Christmas”
M274-42 Teenage boys and girls on stage at YWCA
8 x 10; 2 x 4 ca. 1960s B & W
Girls in party dresses - boys in suits and ties.
M274-43 Women posed behind large wooden table
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Probably members of YWCA Board of Directors. Some people are identified on the back of the photo.
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-44 Women posed behind large wooden table
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Probably members of YWCA Board of Directors. Some people are identified on the back of the photo.
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-45 Women posed behind large wooden table
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Probably members of YWCA Board of Directors. Some people are identified on the back of the photo.
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-46 Girls posed on stage at YWCA
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Two rows of teenage girls, all wearing dresses.
Photographer: Paul’s Studio
M274-47 Women and girls in stage area of YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Women and girls in stage area of YWCA Gym.
M274-48 Candle ceremony
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Seven girls, five holding lighted candles, and one adult posed around a large wooden table.
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-49 Large group of girls seated on floor of YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Girls appear to be listening to someone speak.
Photographer: Paul’s Studio
M274-50 Large group of girls seated on floor of YWCA Gym
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Girls appear to be applauding someone - perhaps a speaker.
Photographer: Paul’s Studio
M274-51 Five girls in white dresses
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Girls are standing behind a small table
Photographer: Paul’s Studio
M274-52 Two girls wading in a creek or river
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Inscription: “Sprucing Up”
M274-53 Three girls carrying wooden benches
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Inscription: “Sprucing Up”
M274-54 Group of girls with leaders
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Unidentified group of pre-teen girls with three adults.
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-55 Group of girls with leaders
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Unidentified group of pre-teen girls with three adults.
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-56 Women's basketball team, "The Cosmets"
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Posed portrait - team members are in uniform. Coach Lewis Smith and Assistant Coach/Manager Geraldine Stewart are not pictured.
Row 1: Millie Usher, Doris Smith, Emma Lee, Gail Carter, Doris McCormick, Barbara Dearman, and Carolyn Barron. Center Front: Judy Murry.
M274-57 Woman serving punch and cookies to boys and girls
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Woman serving punch and cookies to boys and girls.
M274-58 Group of young girls playing with a basketball
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Group of young girls playing with a basketball.
M274-59 Women entering front door of Hattiesburg YWCA
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Women entering front door of Hattiesburg YWCA.
M274-60 Girl Scout Troop 291
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Mrs. Lavelle Dragula, Troop Leader, is pictured with the girls.
Left to right: Debbie Payne, Theresa Perry, Ann Triggs, Christie Ethridge, Mrs. Lavelle Dragula, Debbie Carpenter, Sandra Stiglets, Betty Jo Dragula, Ann Thompson, Robin Mangum.
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-61 Swimmers in YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-62 Swimmers in YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Swimmers in YWCA Pool.
M274-63 Swimmers in YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Swimmers in YWCA Pool.
M274-64 Swimmers in YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Girl prepares to dive from diving board.
M274-65 Five swimmers in formation
5 x 7 ca. 1960s B & W
Swimmers form a loose circle.
Inscription: “Swimming”
M274-66 Five swimmers
5 x 7 ca. 1960s B & W
Inscription: “Swimming”
M274-67 Swimmers in YWCA Pool
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-68 Five members of Central School Y-Teens Club
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Central was a Forrest County (MS) school for grades 1-8 located near the former Beverly Drive-In Theater.
Photographer: Bob Waller
M274-69 Group of women at YWCA
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
The event is probably a shower.
M274-70 YWCA Teenage Summer Sewing Class
8 X 10 1965 B & W
Five girls are engaged in hand sewing and two are working at sewing machines. The girls at the machines are unidentified. The girls hand sewing are Deborah Green, Layne Debrow, Shirley Fortenberry, Susan Fairbank, and Susan Faust.
Photographer: King’s Studio
M274-71 YWCA Teenage Summer Sewing Class
8 X 10 1965 B & W
Girls are wearing dresses made by themselves. They are Deborah Green, Layne Debrow, Shirley Fortenberry, Susan Fairbank, and Susan Faust.
Photographer: King’s Studio
Inscription: “Teenage Sewing Class – Summer of 1965 (in frocks each one made)”
M274-72 Supper meeting at YWCA
8 X 10 May 10, 1962 B & W
Group of teenage girls posed behind a long table.
Photographer: Dixie Photo Service
Inscription: “Supper Meeting at YWCA”
M274-73 Man holding front door of YWCA open
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Man is probably YWCA employee, J. C. Cochran.
M274-74 Candle ceremony
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Eight teenage girls, five of whom are holding lighted candles, posed behind large table with an adult female.
M274-75 Women in YWCA Office
8 x 10 ca. 1960s B & W
Two women seated on opposite sides of a desk. A young girl peers through glass enclosure.
M274-76 Three women in YWCA Kitchen
8 x 10 ca. 1960-1970 B & W
Women are inspecting the contents of a cabinet. Mrs. Earl Green is the center woman, the other two are unidentified.
M274-77 Women relaxing in YWCA Lounge
8 x 10 ca. 1960-1970 B & W
The second woman pictured is Mrs. Barney Brannon and the fourth woman is Mrs. Earl Green. The other three women are unidentified.
M274-78 Women relaxing in YWCA Lounge
8 x 10 ca. 1960-1970 B & W
The last woman to the right is Mrs. Barney Brannon, the other five are unidentified.
Inscription: “Shoppers relax”
M274-79 Aerial view of YWCA Building
3 x 3 ca. 1980s Color
Two Hattiesburg (MS) police cars are parked in foreground
M274-80 Aerial view of YWCA Building
3 x 3 ca. 1980s Color
Aerial view of YWCA Building.
M274-81 Unidentified group of boys
2 x 4 ca. 1940s B & W
Negative Only. Possibly an athletic team of some sort.
Subject
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- The Hattiesburg YWCA Records
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
