History and Background

The YWCA began in 1855 through the vision of two women,
Mary Jane Kinnaird and Emma Robarts.

Mary Jane Kinnaird opened the first hostel, a ‘Home for Girls’ in London. The hostel was particularly intended for Florence Nightingale’s nurses returning home from serving in the Crimea. She later opened the first ‘women’s club’ in England a room in Pall Mall where seamstresses and mill girls gathered for Bible classes.

Emma Robarts formed prayer circles for girls who were working in service. These groups had to meet at 9.00pm when the girls’ working day was finally over. The young women also learned reading and writing.

In 1859 ladies’ meetings began in Edinburgh and Kelso that later formed the first branches of the YWCA in Scotland. A Glasgow YWCA followed in 1874.

In 1877 the two parts of the movement (hostels and prayer circles) joined and in 1878 the Earl of Shaftesbury became the first President of the united YWCA. At this time there were already 21 YWCA branches in Scotland.

The work of the YWCA continued to spread throughout the country from the north of Scotland to the south of England. Local clubs drew up monthly programmes which typically included bible classes, sewing, educational classes and social gatherings. From the beginning the emphasis was on all-round development in mind, body and spirit. These are symbolised by the three corners of the blue triangle the logo of the YWCA.

In 1894, the YWCAs of Great Britain, USA, Norway and Sweden founded the World YWCA.

Today the World YWCA has members in over 100 countries worldwide. It continues to be a membership movement with a focus on developing opportunities for young women. Every 4 years members have the opportunity to meet together at World Council to share experiences and agree priorities.

In March 2003 the YWCA in Scotland became an independent organisation. It retains links with the other members of YWCA of GB through representation on British Council the umbrella body of the YWCA of GB. Founded by Christian women, our roots lie equally in feminism and in faith. We respect our heritage and embrace the multicultural society in which we live. This is reflected in the cultural, racial, spiritual and ethnic diversity of our staff, trustees, supporters and the young women with whom we work. The values which underpin our work are shared by people of different faiths, cultural backgrounds and philosophies.