Our Herstory

The YWCA was founded in 1874 as a residence for 42 young women and girls. Since then the YWCA of Halifax has continued to provide needed services, supports and advocacy for women.

By 1899 the YWCA had purchased its own premises on Hollis Street and opened a new residence on the corner of Oxford and College. For the most part, activities were focused on the needs of working women - like those working in the city's North End cotton mills.

Following these important initial activities, other gaps were identified:

• By 1919, summer camps were established in both Hubbards and Wallace for young business women and students.
• In 1922, YW women established physical education programs for girls - before it was taught in the Halifax School System.
• In the early twenties, the YWCA of Halifax was also busy as a co--founder of 'Community Chest", a precursor of today's Metro United Way.
• 1922-1926 saw more YW "clubs" established in Halifax , including a "Business and Professional Women's Club", a "Black Comrades Club", and the "Olympic Club" for maids.
• In 1931 our current building was 'built from scratch' on Barrington Street by tenacious women who were undaunted by the 1929 stock market crash and the great depression. During WW II the building housed an anti-aircraft gun on it's roof.
• Between 1939 and 1945, the Joycliffe summer camp site, purchased by the YWCA in 1929, was used by military personnel on leave. And, for many war brides immigrating through Pier 21, the YWCA became a place of rest and relaxation after a long sea journey and before leaving the city for homes across the province of Nova Scotia.
• In collaboration with the Junior League, the YWCA established the first licensed child care service within Halifax in 1963. A pool was added to our building in 1965 - in response to limited municipal swimming facilities for women and their children. In 1972 the YWCA further expanded fitness opportunities for women by adding a weight studio.
• During the mid eighties a YWCA 'Centre for Computer Studies' was established in an adjacent building to better prepare women for IT developments that were sweeping across workforces and disciplines.
• The late nineties brought increased commitment to women's wellness throughout the life cycle - with the establishment of new programming renewal of the pool facilities, and the opening of an on-site health clinic.
  Today, the YWCA, continues to support women and their families with programs and services that respond to current day needs. We work with an eye on the past and the future and with a vision that seeks ways in which we can best provide opportunities, equity and freedom for women.