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175th Birthday of the YMCA

Wow, YMCA! 175 years and you still have the same youthful energy you had when George Williams and the gang first got together.  What you have accomplished so far is nothing short of incredible. From a small prayer group in London in 1844 you are now a globe-trotting movement working in 119 countries serving 58 million individuals. A constant innovator, let's take a moment to reflect on and celebrate a few of your accomplishments! You were:

  • A precursor to the public library. Your early reading rooms extended access to texts and literature to your members before public libraries were a fixture of our communities.
  • A health innovator. As societies urbanized, you were concerned about the impacts a sedentary life would have on quality of life. Inspired by the concept of Muscular Christianity, you promoted well-being in mind, body and spirit. 
  • A servant-leader. You provided relief work in every American armed conflict beginning with the Civil War. You raised spirits in the worst of situations and proved that actions are indeed louder than words. 
  • An education pioneer.  Beginning in 1865, your English as a Second Language (ESL) programs gave generations of newcomers critical skills to thrive in America. Always one to identify and address the gaps that prevent people from reaching their potential, your night classes, correspondence courses and vocational education programs accelerated the professionalization of America and gave birth to a score of institutions of higher learning. 
  • An environmentalist.  By taking youth outdoors to camp and immerse themselves in nature you've helped generations of people feel connected to - and become more protective of - our environment. 
  • A peace-maker. By extending yourself across the globe you created a fellowship of activists who live in service to their communities. You administered services to war prisoners and refugees, and advocated for the creation of the United Nations. A living symbol of your "for all" mission in action, the Jerusalem YMCA was constructed to bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians in peaceful cooperation.

You've accomplished all this and more because you have remained morally grounded. Inspired by your Christian heritage, your countless innovations over the past 175 years have been focused squarely on improving individuals by drawing them into community and organizing them towards collective action. Our nation and planet are so much better because of you, YMCA. Happy birthday!

 

Written by Ryan Bean, Reference & Outreach Archivist of the Kautz Family YMCA Archives and the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Category: Y News