YWCA of Asheville
100 Years

History of the ywca BOOSTERS
1976 - Boosters Club forms to support the YW during integration. The group of integrated members was comprised of current and former volunteers and staff members, ranging in ages from 65-90.
"The Booster Club originated in a spirit of loyalty and support when the request was made by Ollie Reynolds, then president of the YWCA Board of Directors, to her peer group, to return to more active Y support now that they were retired."  Mary Jane Kelly  
 The YWCA Booster Club was formally organized in June 1976.  Charter members included:
Ann Bass Laura Bynum Ruth Cannon Eleanor Carpenter Vivian Cooper Elynora Dargan
Lucy Harrison Reba Harrison Gertrude Jones Mary Jane Kelly Gladys Kennedy Annie Belle Logan
Claire Lennon Ruth Morrison Loraine Murphy Dorothy Norman Leona Owens Julia Petty
Ollie Reynolds Juanita Weaver Ethel While Orine Wiggins

"The Boosters were organized --for helping the Y-- when it was in dire financial need. Ollie Reynolds, who had retired also, -- she had been serving on the Board and had been President at that time.  After she retired from the Board, she decided we should do something for the Y because of the financial problems.  WE were organized then and I was appointed President and she was secretary."  Ethel White  "There were so many things we did for the Y I can't even hardly remember those things now.  I know we purchased equipment.  One of the first things we go was a copy machine they needed -- that was around $500.  Some of the other machines and things they are using now are probably some of the things we purchased.  From time to time, we donated $500 or whatever and we'd always ask their needs so we could do something they really needed.  That was the work of the Boosters  --  to "boost" the Y in whatever way we could."

1976 - The first officers of YWCA Boosters were:
 - President, Ethel White  - Vice-President, Ruth Cannon  - Secretary, Ollie Reynolds  - Treasurer, Annie Belle Logan
"When I was Chairman of the Board of Directors, I had an idea in the back of my head that if you going to be the chairman, you ought to be able to do certain things for the group that would be a little beyond what the rest were doing.  I knew I didn't have that kind of pocketbook, and I said, "I think I need some help here".  I started trying to find some folks who has once been on the Board of Directors or Management, and try to get them back into the Y because after you leave the Board, so many just leave the Y altogether.  So, I started inquiring around among my folks and found a few who said they would be interested in coming back to the Y. I think we organized in 1976.  My main reason was to have some people who could help put some money into the program.  Now, we didn't bring in large amounts, but I felt like as Chairman of the Board, if we had to have $1,000 for fuel, I should be able to write that check. I couldn't do it.  but, with that group supporting me, we could do it."  Ollie McCool Reynolds  "Then, in a few years we started spreading out. We said, "Let's find former Board Members all over the city and see if they would be interested in coming back".  We were delightfully surprised to find that they wanted to.  So, that's how the Boosters got started." 
The YWCA of Asheville Boosters were responsive to the needs of the YWCA
  • business equipment
  • landscaping
  • remodeling
  • hosted children's parties
 Held enrichment programs
  • Piano concerts
  • Books discussions
  • Black Awareness Exhibits
Supported YWCA functions
  • Golf tournament
  • Mailings
  • Health Fair
 Organized trips
  • Cristus Gardens
  • World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Pisgah Inn
 
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2007 Gathering of YWCA Boosters
 

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