The YWCA of Calgary has been serving Calgary women and their families for almost a century. From its humble beginnings in 1910, when three forward-thinking women formed the first YWCA to meet the need for accommodation of women who were traveling, our history of programming has reflected the emergent community needs of each decade.

1910s: The YWCA Traveler's Aid is formed, English instruction begins for "foreigners", and legislature is petitioned for a minimum wage of $12/week for working women.

1920s: The YWCA advocates Health Education in the public schools and the YWCA Banff Chalet is built to provide holiday accommodation for working women.

1930s: The YWCA is operating Chalets in Banff, Lake Louise and Field. Advocacy work continues as the YWCA works with other women's organizations to fight discrimination. This included petitioning the Prime Minister of the day (R.B. Bennett) and the provincial legislature requesting that domestic workers be included in any government legislature dealing with the workforce, and that the hours and wages paid domestic workers be the same as that paid for other women's positions.

1940s: Clubs are opened for women in the services, service wives, and women in industrial war jobs. The YWCA welcomes war brides. A "Rooms Registry" is established to find homes for returning servicemen and their wives.

1950s: The YWCA purchases 28 acres and establishes Camp Kinnaird in Sylvan Lake and adds a swimming pool to its Calgary operation.

1960s: Y-teens advocate for proper sex education in the schools, swim classes for the physically and mentally disabled begin, and an "Indian Girls' Club" is formed. The YWCA movement urges the Federal Government to provide income tax relief for working women who must provide Child Care for children and other dependents.

1970s: A new facility is built at 320, 5th Avenue SE. A Women's Resource Centre is established and the first Women of the Year Awards are hosted with Margaret Atwood as guest speaker. A health club is opened for women.

1980s: The YWCA opens a Support Centre and The Sheriff King Home for abused women and children. The Lifeprints program is launched, working with teens on the importance of life and career planning. The Calgary Business College is created in partnership with the Federal Government to train women who are unemployed, under-employed or relying on welfare. The YWCA acquires the Mineral Springs Hospital site (Banff YWCA) and expands in its new location.

1990s: Counselling groups for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse are added to the Support Centre program and the first program for men who are abusive is initiated. Women's Employment Counselling Services is opened to assist 500 women annually with employment and career issues. The YWCA enters into a joint venture with Calgary Housing Authority by opening Langin Place, a 56-unit housing project for hard-to-house women.

$6 million dollars is raised and invested to expand/improve the 5th Avenue location. A collaborative project (Safe Haven) for girls involved or at risk of becoming involved in prostitution is launched. A new Child Care facility is opened. Employment specific programs are added for women dealing with abuse issues, and the YWCA and SAIT partner to offer a construction-training program for women wishing to enter the building trades (The Women's Trade Centre). The "YWCA Body & Soul Centre" changes its name to "Fitness on 5th", and the Board of Director's Social Issues Committee focuses on raising SFI rates for low-income women and families in Alberta.

*At the close of the decade the YWCA has parted with WECS, The Women's Resource Centre, Langin Place, and the Banff YWCA.

2000s: The YWCA completes two major renovation and expansion projects: YWCA Mary Dover House (transitional and emergency housing) and the YWCA Sheriff King Home (violence prevention programming and crisis shelter). Extensive Board and staff work around the organization's new Strategic Direction results in the selling of Camp Kinnaird, and the closure of the Women of Distinction Awards. The YWCA partners with Global Television to jointly present Woman of Vision.