The brick wall that sits on the corner of Hershey Road and Empire Street in Bloomington boldly states “Young Women’s Christian Association.” It is a familiar site and was generously donated to the local YWCA to beautify the property. It is a reminder to all who pass and those who are associated with the local YWCA chapter of the YWCA roots.
Like the wall, YWCA stands strong. However, unlike that unmoving wall, the YWCA is a changing organization, that strives to meet the challenges of today’s world,
The Young Women’s Christian Association was founded with proud roots in the Christian tradition. Over the years, the organization broadened its outreach and services to women and families of all faiths and backgrounds. For this reason, in 1991, chapters in the United States, including the local organization, became simply known as YWCA.
YWCA McLean County CEO, D. Dontae Latson said the shift to the acronym is “reflective of the world, us, and our community — which is progressively becoming more diverse.”
Some may think moving away from “Christian” is not a positive action, but, in fact, it is the most positive thing YWCA could have done. The mission of the organization is to empower women, eliminate racism and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Again, that last word: all. You don’t have to be Christian to believe in the YWCA mission and to live it. When we limit ourselves, we may miss contributions and experiences.
A great example that may resonate with many is the invention of the pacemaker and defibrillator. Paul Zoll, a Jewish American, pioneered the technology, which has saved countless lives over the years.
Another example is Alan Turing; a name you may not recognize, but one that has an affect on our everyday lives. Turing was a pioneer in computer science and is responsible for the foundation of the modern computer. He was also an atheist.
Everyone — men, women, Christian, non-Christian — has their own gifts and talents that are not constrained by religion. Creativity is nurtured by diverse ideas and ways of doing things.
“When we limit diversity, we limit the ways people can contribute their gifts, and ultimately we stunt progress in our society,” Norene Ball, mission impact director at YWCA McLean County said.
YWCA McLean County has morphed into a social service agency in McLean County — conforming to what our local community needs, meeting the needs of women, families, and children of all religious beliefs and backgrounds. It is impossible to be empowered and make progress without respect of others and that includes respecting our differences and using them to grow a stronger society.
So, when you drive by the corner of Hershey and Empire and see the unmoving brick wall, which states “Young Women’s Christian Association,” let it serve as a reminder of the YWCA local roots beginning in 1908 and also as the foundation of what YWCA McLean County strives to become through its mission.
For more information about YWCA McLean County, its mission, or how you can get involved, please visit www.ywcamclean.org or call 309-662-0461.