University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Kathleen Balogh

OH-VOA T66 Ly

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Lynn Troutner and Kathleen Balogh Oral History

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Troutner, Lynn
Balogh, Kathleen
YWCA of the USA -- History
Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A. -- History
Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A. -- North Carolina -- Asheville
Race relations -- North Carolina
Teenage pregnancy -- North Carolina -- Asheville
Social work with women -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword:
Adolescent parents ; YWCA ; YMCA ; Racism ; Sexism ; Women's Center ; Junior League ; "Mother Love Program"

Description

Abstract: Participation of the Junior League in founding the Women's Center is discussed, along with the Center's role in referral and coordination of clients to other community agencies.  The history of the merger of the black and white YWCAs is discussed, along with Ms. Balogh's observations concerning racism, intolerance, and the educational system. Membership on the governing board is described, including a lawsuit concerning the prohibition of male members. The advantage of being white and working with blacks, as Ms. Balogh perceives it, is discussed, along with the problems faced by a former black coordinator.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Lynn Troutner and Kathleen Balogh

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-03-21 ; Corrected by Kathleen Balogh, 2002-10-11

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 7-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 4 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA T66 Ly

Language

English

Relation

References: Asheville YWCA Archive ; VOA Thelma Caldwell Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

Side 1:

Introduction:

[13]  Lynn has been with Women's Center 1½ years working with teenage pregnancies.  Kathleen was a board member and is now a staff member for a total of 10 years.  Mary Ann Richards (Computer Services) has been Executive Director of the YWCA for 10 years.  [Kathleen Balogh, Mary Ann Richards]

[26]  Several programs, started at the Y have been taken over by the community.  She is coordinator for adolescent health services.

[36] "Mother Love" is a program for single mothers to teach parenting skills and encourage them to finish or further education. "RAP" (Reaching Adolescent Parents) was started by Red Cross and is developed by the Y, concerns controlling one's own life and deals with rape, AIDS, single parenting. 

"Operation Smart" is designed to encourage girls 6-18 to keep on technology track where jobs will be "cool".

[108]  Short skits put on by the girls at an annual meeting of the Dogwood Foundation ($5,000 given to the group) depicted real-life situations and asked for audience participation.  The girls received a standing ovation from the (125) audience.

[216] A Valentine party was given and, while fathers attended they were not involved, which was another disappointment for the mothers.

[258]  The center is in an old, comfortable house which the girls consider a second home.

[280]  Referrals are made to other organizations as needed and the Community Service Agency booklet gives a listing of agencies and their services.

[321]  The Booster Club (past Y members - now elderly) have fund drives.  There are auctions, an annual fund drive, and grant proposals.  The staff does not have much time and Y members are working women.  By national policy, men cannot be on the board - but men have more money and raise more money (i.e. for the YMCA).

[374]  Asheville YWCA takes the lead in effort to end prejudice.  The community is coming together in fighting AIDS, drugs, violence, crime.

[390]  Her predecessor was black and the girls would not accept her as she had "made it" - she had "sold out."

[424]  She sees change and hopes for more changes.  Every woman in her group has registered to vote - they feel they have a voice in change.

Kathleen Balogh, Director of Community Services, is on tape.

[432]  She tells that she was on the Board of Directors for 7 years and then took a staff position.

[475]  She considers the Y a launching ground for many new agencies - "Helpmate" and the "Rape Crisis Center."

[490]  The original seed money for the center came from the Junior League and is now in the regular budget of the Y.

[503]  Referral service discussed.

[520]  A legal clinic is held every other month.  Terms and procedures of custody and divorce are explained.  Eleven to 18 people attend, many of them men.  Investment classes and tax preparation workshops are held.

[576]  A legal advocacy program helps people speak for themselves where there is a language barrier.  Programs are tailored to community unmet needs.

Side 2:

Kathleen Balogh continues.

[2/5]  There are many service organizations in the community, women often call Women's Center first, and they "walk them through" the situation - referring them to the appropriate agencies.  A "simplified access" program is being worked on as well as a mobile unit which can visit projects and facilitate application processes.

[2/95]  The Women's Center is a safe place to be, but it is not a meeting place (like a clubhouse) as such.

[2/112]  When the black and white YWCA merged in 1971- or 72, the Boosters were formed.  Although the board was split 50-50, black and white, the whites had the power.  The Boosters, along with raising funds, was designed to provide a forum for blacks and whites to work together in a social setting.

[2/144]  The YMCA stresses health and the YWCA stresses women, family issues, and empowerment of women.  The YWCA Board is, by charter, made up of women only.  In the west there is a trial case in court which will determine whether or not this is sexual discrimination against men.  [Sandra Day O'Connor]

[2/177]  She feels that it can be proven that women, as a group, are discriminated against.  Men have the power and money, but this is changing.  This is the "Year of the Woman".

[2/192]  Having come to Asheville from the west and Washington, DC, and having traveled in a military family she compares prejudice in the north (overt) with the south (subtle).

[2/208]  North Carolina has the largest number of "hate groups" in the country with 3 in Black Mountain in the county.  There is a vast underground, arms and ammunition are being stockpiled and beating incidents have occurred. [Mittie Owens]

[2/266]  She thinks there has always been an innate intolerance of any difference and the media has betrayed us.

[2/353]  Core programs are set by the National YWCA.  One of these is conflict resolution.  It is up to local Y's to develop these programs to meet local needs.

[2/385]  City schools are under court mandate to integrate.  The black and white schools are divided by grades, and the "magnet" system instigated.  Students may choose any of 6 [elementary] schools.  This program has been in operation 2 years, and the 60% [white] to 40% [black] (which is population percentage) is represented in the schools.

[2/419]  There are few blacks in the county and bussing would not be possible.  If the court orders merger of the two systems, the city would stay as it is. 

[2/490] The young women in the group respond differently to white women and black women in the leadership position.  Former coordinator, Jackie, was unsuccessful because women felt she had betrayed her race. 

[2/539]  She feels that 4 or 5 of the women in the "Mother Love" program will do better for their children after 3 years of attending twice a week.

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