You can learn a lot about the history of YWCA O'ahu from local newspaper archives. Thousands of stories have been written about us –and pictures can make these stories come alive.
Here are a couple of very special poems specifically written about us that appeared in the paper:
Honolulu Star-Bulletin: January 27, 1917.
The writer of the above poem “M.D.F.” is Mary Dillingham Frear (Mrs. W.F. Frear), who was our fourth president of the board. Just like many of our board members, Mrs. Frear was not only involved in community work, she also created her own path — following her passions, one of which was writing.
Mrs. Mary Dillingham Frear (Mrs. W.F. Frear): Fourth president of YWCA O'ahu Board (1914-1919).
Mrs. Frear, former first lady of Hawai‘i and the president of our board, was also a published author. Isle of Dreams is one of her published works.
In this piece Not a Y.W.C.A. Girl, she describes the sheltered environment many women and girls experienced in earlier days – and the assumption that somehow women needed to be “protected.” It’s one of the reasons that motivated women to create a place of their own – YWCA O'ahu – so that they could better their lives with a spirit of independence.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin: January 27, 1917.
YWCA O'ahu used to hold events like this one – International Garden Fete - to celebrate women and girls and their ethnicity.
Through the above piece titled Our Very Little Club Girls, it is clear how our organization celebrated women and girls of various experiences and backgrounds. While this one speaks of geographic diversity comparing the memories of a locally born woman with one from New England, that spirit extends to an early embrace of ethnic diversity as well. This was all happening at YWCA O'ahu at a time of segregation and long before the civil rights movements in this country.
Mrs. Frear posing for a photo with Japanese picture brides in 1917. She is in the white dress in the first row (fourth from the left).
Korean Girls Club Play in 1923.
These writings tell a lot about the depth and the quality of work of we were engaged in to lift the women and girls of Hawaii in a climate where women’s empowerment was not fully embraced by the public. Yet we persisted and forged ahead.
-Noriko Namiki, YWCA O‘ahu CEO