The YWCA: An enduring institution

Many women’s organizations have come and gone, but the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of the Philippines remains strong and committed to the dictum, “By love serve one another.”

I’ve been finding inspiration in the story of the YWCA told in a coffee table book, A Gift of Faith, that shows it to be possibly the first non-governmental organization in the country first immersed in the task of helping — serving, if you may — young women working and living in the big, harsh city to keep bodies and souls together, and now, women, and men, too, of all ages, faiths, and inclinations.

From the book so ably written by Rachel Enriquez Fidelino, and with Dr. Josefina Dineros Pineda, the current YWCA national president as overall chair/coordinator, and a host of officers putting the project together, we learn that in 1921, the Filipino Women’s Time Investment Club was informally formed by women who thought female college students and young professionals boarding at the Hugh Wilson and Ellinwood dormitories should spend their free time profitably serving others, attending prayer groups, caring for the needy, and visiting Bilibid Prison, Welfareville and institutions for children abandoned by their parents. In 1926, the same group of women became the core of the first YWCA in the country, which was known as the Manila YWCA. Their organization was assisted by representatives of the YWCA in the United States. Later, the national YWCA would be formed, and the Manila YWCA would be one of its very active member organizations.

Among the first member-volunteers of the Manila YWCA, now hallowed names in community work, were Mary Aquino, Felicisima Balgos-Barza, Mary Galang, Leodegaria Sapao, and three Valdez women — Angela, Consuelo, Genoveva and Maria Valdez. In 1927, the first board of directors was formed, with the First Lady, Ildefonsa Cuaresma-Osias as president. The first Filipina secretary was Josefa Jara Martinez, mother of former First Lady Ming Martinez-Ramos. One of the volunteers was Angela Valdez Ramos, mother of former President Fidel V. Ramos. So, you see, the volunteers were prominent members of society, with some related by blood to each other. In the 60s, Ambassador Leticia Ramos-Shahani, sister of President Ramos, would become national president.

But the very beginning of the YWCA is traced to far-off England. The Industrial Revolution, with  the social, economic and ideological changes occurring in England. had driven large rural populations to the cities, and the female workforce had become the concern of a group led by Miss Emma Roberts.

 Programs set up for the young women included prayer meetings, establishment of the first Lodgers Home for nurses, employment agencies, libraries, restaurants and clubs.

In 1877 the Prayer Union and the Homes and Institutes of the London Work united and became known as the Young Women’s Christian Association. Members up to this day, describe the work of the originators as having “combined the twin strands of prayer and services.” By 1891 the World YWCA was organized, linking closely the work of the YWCA all over the world, its vision “women from all nations coming together to discuss how best to do the world that would elevate womanhood into the realm of leadership.”

 The British and American YWCA saw the opportunity to serve during World War I, opening clubs near military bases to give comfort to the great ranks of the military, providing accommodation for women war workers, and ministering to refugees.

 By 1926, the Manila YWCA’s programs were flourishing. It opened a Downtown Center at David street, Manila and a headquarters and dormitory at 852 R. Hidalgo, where girls and women could rest, eat their lunch and meet friends during the noon recess work. It offered a physical education training course, sponsored camping trips, organized the Girls Reserve Club which emphasized character education and citizenship training. An office was opened at Isaac Peral, now United Nations Ave. The building was soon taken over by the Japanese army.

 During the Second World War, the YWCA women volunteers demonstrated supreme courage as it rendered relief and social work at the fall of Bataan. They were, according to the YWCA coffee table book, “veritable angels sent by God to ease the suffering and sacrifice of the wartime heroes who marched down the long highway of atrocity. (The YWCA volunteers) tossed food and wooden shoes to the marchers, who were barefoot and hungry. Although (they) were not able to minister to each one in detail, many marchers were fed and saved from sure starvation and extreme exhaustion.”

They rented a little house in Capas, Tarlac, to where the relatives of soldiers came in the hope of hearing a word or two about their imprisoned relatives. They smuggled letters and notes from relatives to the prisoners, and  food and medicine for the sick. These were risky endeavors, but they risked their own lives to be of service to those who needed it.

The services of these courageous women were acknowledged by the government. In 1955, Mrs. Josefa Jara Martinez and Filomena Florendo, together with several guerilla resistance heroes, were awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of officer by President Ramon Magsaysay.

The YWCA today — with its 28 local associations and hundreds of thousands of members across the country, continues to be  run by volunteers from different faiths, with a wide variety of programs: prayer conferences, sessions on values formation, social skills, physical and sports activities, livelihood training, sessions on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, youth camps, leadership training, peace efforts, elimination of discrimination against women, protecting the rights of the vulnerable population, development of servant leadership, and many others.

A Gift of Faith is for sale at the YWCA headquarters on 880 UN Ave., Ermita, Manila.

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To celebrate its  60th diamond anniversary, the YWCA launched  a National Association Membership Enhancement (NAME) campaign last month. The NAME campaign aims “to promote the culture of volunteerism following the  leadership of Jesus Christ by serving one another.” Individuals and corporate leaders, male and female, who share a passion for changing communities and changing lives through volunteerism and leadership are invited to participate.

At the launch, the first national associate membership citations were given to architect Nathaniel Von A. Einsiedel, consultant of Concept Inc.; Francis J. Kong, president and CEO of Business Matters Inc.; Cecilio K. Pedro, owner of Lamoiyan Corporation, and yours truly, for promoting volunteerism in their different fields.

Prof. Solita C. Monsod is the campaign honorary chairperson. The NAME steering committee is composed of Dr. Josefina D. Pineda and Dr. Ligaya L. Tankeh, co-chair, and Patricia Marjori I. Lamberte, Normita M. Anives and Villa Granada de Guia, members. YWCA president Florida Z. Jose is inviting potential members through the national associate membership.

For inquiries, call 5247234, and telefax 5231467.

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My  e-mail:[email protected]