The National Non-Profit YWCA Has History on NSU Campus
By Ian Williams
Norfolk State University’s Phillis Wheatley Hall is historically known for helping the community. The building began running as a Black division of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in 1908. The structure was initially titled The Phillis Wheatley YWCA of Norfolk and was founded by Laura E. Titus.
Titus was an educator and local philanthropist working to improve marginalized community issues.
In 1911, a Caucasian Philanthropist created the YWCA South Hampton Roads division. The Phillis Wheatley and South Hampton Roads locations were originally segregated.
Phillis Wheatley Hall operated as one of the last Black divisions until the 1970’s when the organization partnered with the South Hampton Roads location and joined the national YWCA movement. However, the initial date that was documented as the inaugural location in the area was the South Hampton Roads location.
Michelle Ellis Young, the current CEO of YWCA South Hampton Roads, says, “Many of the YW’s that you see across the co-untry today, including ours right here in South Hampton Roads, really got their start from Black YW’s that were in communities. With history; you know when mergers happen, one history gets erased, and the other gets elevated, and that’s what happened.”
Young is using her platform to not only help people in need but make people aware of societal injustices. She wants the world to acknowledge that events such as George Floyd, a Black man murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were not just episodic, but an outcome that Black lives must consider every day.
“It really just called to my heart that our community needs a voice that will truly stand for what is good and what is right, what is just, what is fair, and be able to speak truth to power,” Young said.
“What better way for us to do that than the work of the YWCA that’s been in this community for 114 years?" Young said, "If we truly are going to eliminate racism and empower women, we have to be unapologetic in how we go about doing that and build truly an antiracist community.”
This organization started off helping the local community in one of Norfolk States’ buildings and has expanded beyond city limits. The YWCA South Hampton Roads works with all demographics and even partners with organizations in the community, such as Men for Hope.
Now part of YWCA USA as of 2015, the national organization has operated in over 125 countries since forming in 1858 in New York.
“YWCA is dedicated t o eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” documented in YWCA’s mission statement.
The YWCA wants the community to know that if you are ever in danger or abusive circumstance, call (757)251-0144. If you wish to support or donate, even if it’s just a dollar, call (757) 625-4248 or visit their website www.YWCA-shr.org.
Telling Untold Stories: Laura Titus and the YWCA - NFKVA
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