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At The Sign Of The Blue How the YWCA Was Started The Young Women’s Christian Asso ciation really had its beginning before 1866, the first recorded date of the for mal organization of that name in this country. In 1844 George Williams, influenced by a movement originating on the Euro pean Continent and in England, had or ganized twelve young men from four dif ferent church denominations to form a group that later became known as the Young Men’s Christian Association with both religious and social features. The idea became popular, was transplanted to the United States, and brought about the formation of similar groups in wide ly separated parts of the country. Up to this time women had not learned to operate in united efforts to a large de gree; they had worked as individual forces rather than as a social unit. But following the success of the movement among men and the wider entrance of young women into public life in order to earn a living, the minds of both men and women began to recognize the need of a means of ministry to the needs of young women in circumstances similar to those of the working young man. When the idea of an organization for young women was first introduced in Eng land. it met with great opposition for a time, but the courageous women of that day were not deterred. They banded themselves together for united prayer. Later this effort, under the enthusiastic leadership of Miss Emma Roberts, be came known as the Prayer Union. Then knowledge of Miss Roberts’ work spread to other parts of Great Britain where it was favorably received. The first YWCA in London served the purpose of finding wholesome homes and recreation for the nurses who were caring for the many casualties of the Crimean War. This movement soon swept far beyond tiie place of its origin, Great Britain, and the scope of its purpose was also ex tended. It might be interesting to note the first title of the organizaion as pub lished in a circular in 1861. It was, The United Association for the Christian and Domestic Improvement of \ oung Women. How did people in America react to the new role that women were playing in Christian service? The great Ameri can Revival of 1857-1860 showed three CAMPUS MIRROR Spelman Graduate Has Posi tion in National "Y” Students at Spelman College are proud indeed to learn of the appointment which Madeline Patterson, class of '45. has re ceived. Mi ss Patterson is Co-chairman of the National Student Council of the Y. W. C. A. This position automatically places her as co-chairman of the National In tercollegiate Christian Council. While at Spelman Miss Patterson worked energetically with the “Y” or ganization, both on the campus and in various regional conferences held in this area. outstanding characteristics that portray the attitude of the Americans. These are, the number and value of prayer circles; the unity of Christians of different de nominations, and the large place filled by women as leaders of organized Christian forces. As a result of the attitude of the men of the church the first Ladies Chris tian Association was formed in New York City with Mrs. Marshall 0. Rob erts as directress. This was in Novem ber, 1858. Since this small beginning we know that the idea of a Young Women’s Chris tian Association has continued to grow and take root in countries of the world. As the organization developed the women began to realize more and more that their primary function should be to meet the fundamental needs of girls, which are religious fellowship and in struction, personal needs of employment protection, housing and food, acquaint ances with the right kind of friends and books, study for cultural reasons and for self support, physical preparedness for life, and a chance to work together in being useful to the whole community. The women felt that the best way to meet these needs would be to form student associations. The first student associa tion was organized on January 19, 1873. at Norman School, Norman. Illinois. Its president was Ida A. Brown. Our own Y. W. C. A. here at Spelman was organ ized before 1896. Since its organization it has done helpful work in many areas. The cabinet members of the Y. W. C. A. here at Spelman are Miss Estella Ash more. faculty adviser; Miss Ella Lett, president; Miss Amanda Keith, vice- president; Miss Eleanor Ison, secretary; Miss Madeline Holder, treasurer. The chairmen of committees are as follows: Miss Irene Moore, Public Affairs; Miss Genevieve Lawless and Mis> Ruth Gandy, Publicity; Mi>s Clara Yates. Member ship; Miss Pauline Murphy and Miss Al berta Jones, Music; Miss Henrietta Hous- The Class of ’45 Marches On Eleanor Bryson is the owner of a dressmaking shop in Chattanooga. Ten nessee. Gilberta Jackson married Leo Jackson of Jacksonville, Florida. Lois Blayton is working at the Friend ly Inn Settlement in Cleveland, Ohio. Madeline Patterson is studying at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Ida Kilpatrick is studying at the At lanta University School of Social Work. Atlanta. Georgia. Marian Willis married William Alex ander Scott III of Atlanta. Doris Daniel is instructor at the Bene dict College Nursery School, Columbia South Carolina. Barbara Sparks is teaching in the Oklahoma City school system, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Edith Johnson is employed in a bank in New York City. Mildred Pearson is teaching Home Economics in the Haynesboro City School System, Haynesboro, Georgia. Byrdanne Harris is a social worker in Detroit, Michigan. Genelle Barner is teaching at Crog- man Elementary School. Atlanta. Ernestine Brooks is teaching at Wal ker Street School. Atlanta. Marian Ellison is studying Business Administration at Clark College, Atlanta. Agnes Oliver is teaching at Booker T. Washington High School, Atlanta. Eloise Harding is teaching in the Chi cago School System, Chicago, Illinois. Eunice Jackson is teaching in Annis ton. Alabama. Mary English is doing post-graduate work in mathematics at Atlanta Univer sity. Sybil Anderson is teaching in Ocilla. Georgia. Catherine Acklin is teaching in Meni fee, Arkansas. Catherine Quarterman is supply teach er in the Fulton County School System, Georgia. Rebecca Guyton is teaching in Chatta nooga, Tennessee. Barbara and Imogene Lockett are do ing post-graduate work at Howard Uni versity, Washington, D. C. Charlotte Cochran is attending the At lanta University School of Social Work. ton and Miss Evelyn Spann, Social, and Miss Ida Gartrell and Miss Mae Tedford, Teacher-Student Relationship. The St •rvice Committee will he made up of members of the freshman class af ter the first nine weeks. The “Y looks forward to a very suc cessful year through the enthusiastic co operation of this our largest student body.