History of YWCA Berkeley/Oakland

What is now YWCA Berkeley/Oakland was founded on March 10, 1889 by a group of UC Berkeley women. Students met frequently on campus to converse and gather.

Early YWCA leaders focused on making life better for women via a strong underpinning of social justice principles. Our vision, “peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people” has endured through more than a century and a half of YWCA work. 

  • The University YWCA (now YWCA Berkeley/Oakland) initially started on campus, with a group of women meeting in the office of George H. Howison’s office in North Hall. Students also met frequently by the Campanile and in the Ladies’ Room of North Hall. In January 1893, Stiles Hall provided a place for YWCA members.

  • In 1920, “The Cottage”, designed by Julia Morgan, became the home of the University YWCA.

  • Due to UC Berkeley campus expansions, we said goodbye to the Cottage and hosted a capital campaign for $200,000 to build our new building on the 2600 Bancroft lot. This building designed for us by esteemed architect Joseph Eshrick, along with a few select pieces of furniture are still being used for the same purpose today.

  • After absorbing the YWCA Oakland branch, we expanded our goals to the greater Berkeley and Oakland communities, officially renaming ourselves the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland.

  • The ONLY link we have with the YMCA was that the London women who founded YWCA had husbands that were active members in the YMCA which had been founded a short time before. The women asked, “How can we elevate the women in our midst?”  and YWCA was born. 

  • 1889

     YWCA was founded by 5 Philosophy students who were some of the first female UC Berkeley admits and held convenings in UC Berkeley North Hall.

  • 1892-1893

    We established a constitution as the University YWCA and officially moved into Stiles Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. 

  • 1900

    The first YWCA Pacific Coast Student Conference was held in Capitola. Pictured is the University of California delegation.

  • 1911

    We hosted a Votes for Women Rally at Sather Gate to fight for women’s rights. 

  • 1920

    Then University YWCA moved into the Cottage, designed by Julia Morgan. We received funding from quiet campaigns, donations from family and friends, receiving a total sum of $25,000. 

  • 1930s

    During the time of a crackdown on free speech of the Red Scare, we prioritized a safe space for free discussion of political topics when UC Berkeley could not. We updated our rental policy to ensure the protection of free speech within our space. 


  • 1935

    We petitioned against the racial discrimination prevalent within UC Berkeley's on-campus housing. 

  • 1944

    YWCA responded to the push for Japanese Internment by rapidly opening a council and helping over 75 students evacuate to avoid being sent to a camp.

  • 1959

    Due to UC Berkeley campus expansions, we said goodbye to the Cottage and hosted a capital campaign for $200,000 to build our new building on the 2600 Bancroft lot. This building, along with a few select pieces of furniture you’ll still find in the building today, was designed for us by esteemed architect Joseph Eshrick.


    Fun fact: The wicker furniture in our building has been in the YWCA family for over 100 years and has moved with us from The Cottage and beyond!

  • 1965

    We started our English In Action program! Originally started to help international students, our EIA program still helps non-native English speakers get conversational experience with the English language and an understanding of American everyday culture.

  • 1969

    We temporarily housed Planned Parenthood in the current building of YWCA Berkeley-Oakland, and provided birth control a year before the university began offering those services. 

  • 1988

    The University YWCA student council delegation attended the YWCA National Student Assembly, focused on social justice, college student political activity, and international cooperation.

  • 1990

    In alignment with our very popular and long-beloved former dance program, we held our first Tour of the World Dance Showcase, where dances from all across the globe were performed for an audience, continuing annually for 20 years.

  • 1994

    The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland held its very first annual Shadow Day, a day-long event where East Bay high school students shadow a UC Berkeley student, having a chance to understand the makings of a college experience. This remains one of our biggest events of the year.


  • 1995

    YWCA debuted “Week Without Violence,” a staple of YWCAs across the country and globe. It is an annual initiative advocating for the end of violence against women and girls. Every year, there is a specific theme, as we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally, and that some victims go unrecognized altogether.

    Every fall, we are avid participants in the campaign! 

  • 2003

    In response to the growing tech boom, we launched our TechGYRLS program. One of the founders, Lind Ely, wrote, “By encouraging underserved middle school girls to develop their interest, competence,  and confidence in using computer technology, the YWCA TechGYRLS program encompasses our goals of economic empowerment of women and the elimination of racism.”

  • 2005

    After absorbing the YWCA Oakland branch, we expanded our goals to the greater Berkeley and Oakland communities, officially renaming ourselves the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland.

  • 2007

    We launched the first annual Young Women and Money Conference, providing women with the essential tools for financial empowerment, independence, and literacy. 

    Every fall, we host dozens of local women for an amazing opportunity to network and learn directly from female financial professionals. 

  • 2009

    YWCA Berkeley/Oakland officially expanded on our mission statement of eliminating racism and empowering women by advocating for “peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” 

  • Present

    YWCA Berkeley/Oakland is committed to advocating for the dismantling of racist and sexist structures in our community, while continuously providing a safe, accessible, and engaging space for Berkeley and Oakland communities. 

expanded Timeline