Women's Student Activist Collective

WSAC History

Our organization began over 100 years ago as the University Young Women, a part of the national Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). Over the years our organization has changed dramatically, including a shift to collective structure, many moves from different offices, disaffiliation from the YWCA, and even a complete name-change. While we may not retain some of the same goals as the members who started the UYW in 1891, we are proud to have such a rich and pertinent history at the University of Minnesota.

1891: Twelve sophomore women formed the U-YWCA

1891-1906: U-YWCA members met in Old Main Hall, Burton Hall, the Daily office, and the President's office because the YWCA had no place of its own.

1897: Bertha Letcher, first general secretary of the U-YWCA, was employed, thus leading the way for other college YW's.

1898: A handbook was prepared for all girls graduating from high schools in Minnesota regarding living conditions and expenses at the University.

1900: The Advisory Board was formed.

1903: Ada Hillman, general secretary of the U-YWCA, succeeded in raising $20,000 from Thomas Shelvin to build a women's building on campus; two years he committed to $60,000, the full amount needed.

1906: U-YWCA moved to Shelvin Hall; part-time secretarial help was employed.

1911: U-YWCA began providing settlement houses and mission churches with student volunteer leaders.

1918: Funds were allocated to the YWCA from the War Chest Committee (later the Community Chest and then The United Way).

1940: U-YWCA moved to its office in Coffman Memorial Union; the 50th anniversary was celebrated.

1942: Freshman Orientation Camps were instituted by the U-YWCA.

1944: An Assistant Director joined the staff, the Association of Rooming House Students was organized by the U-YWCA (forerunner of the Dorm Councils).

1946: U-YWCA began the marriage seminar that was the forerunner of the University's family social science department.

1947: SPAN (Student Project for Amity Among Nations) was launched by the U-YWCA to promote education and travel of American students abroad.

1964: Voter registration project was carried out in Georgia and Virginia; the co-ed Frosh Council began; a joint YM-YW program committee was formed.

1965: Women's Week, "Women in the 21st century" was organized.

1975-1977: U-YWCA contributed to the movement to establish the Student Cultural Centers; the Black Student Information Center was housed at the YW.

1978: The Twin Cities chapter for the Gray Panthers began at the U-YWCA.

1979: U-YWCA became a program unit of the Minneapolis YWCA.

1985: The Women's Week program was revived and became an ongoing program; the first annual Rape-Free Zone was held; the name of the organization was official changed to the University YW.

1986: U-YW officially separated from the Minneapolis YWCA. Funding from United Way ended. Staff was cut to one half-time person.

1988: the student cabinet structure was altered to that of a collective.

1991: Centennial year celebrated.

1993: Budget nearly doubled through program-based fundraising; return to full-time staff funded for 1993-1994 year.

1999: U-YW moved to 720 Washington Ave. to accommodate Coffman renovations. We will return to Coffman as soon as renovations are complete.

2000: UYW moved to 825 Washington Ave, still awaiting Coffman renovations.

2001: UYW disaffiliated with the YWCA due to the organization's exclusion of transgendered people and begins the name-change process.

2002: After several years of deliberation and discussion, the UYW changes its name to Women's Student Activist Collective.

2003: The Women's Student Activist Collective returns to Coffman Union.