The YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Branch in St. Louis Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

St. Louis, MO – Lisbeth Tanz

It’s hard enough shopping for an anniversary gift for a person, but what do you give a venerable institution like the YWCA when one of its own reaches 100? You ditch the gift and throw a party – or a few parties!

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Phyllis Wheatley Branch of the YWCA in St. Louis, they’re hosting three events to highlight the contributions of not only the branch, but of the people behind it. The festivities begin with a “Journey Recognition” service at the Centennial Christian Church on September 25.

On September 30, the annual Poems, Prose & Poetry event will have a decidedly Phyllis Wheatley slant. “Poetry is a form of personal liberation, which ties in with the perseverance of Phyllis Wheatley, a slave who could have given up, but instead became the first female black poet to be published in the U.S.,” said Amy Hunter, Director of Racial Justice of the YWCA and chair for the poetry event. The capstone event will be the 100th anniversary dinner to be held December 10.

“The Phyllis Wheatley Branch played an integral part in caring for the community during segregation and still plays a vital role today,” said Pamela Bolden, Senior Communications Executive of the YWCA. “We’re excited to be celebrating this rich piece of history in St. Louis.”

The Beginning of a Legacy

One hundred years ago, an enterprising and forward-thinking group of African-American women petitioned the national YWCA to ask that an African-American branch be established in Saint Louis to address the unmet needs of women and girls. There was already a YWCA in the city, but because of segregation, it was exclusively for white women and girls.

Their request was a bold move. At the time, there were only four other black branches in the entire country. Their petition was approved in 1911, and the “Chapman Branch” became an official part of the St. Louis landscape. The name was later changed to the Phyllis Wheatley Branch in honor of the former slave and the first published black female poet in the U.S. The original building, long since demolished, stood in the heart of the African-American community in the Mill Creek Valley area in midtown St. Louis.

Today, 100 years later, the Phyllis Wheatley name is a fixture on the hearts and in the minds of the St. Louis African-American community, as well as on buildings in the YWCA system, including the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center at 2711 Locust Street. It is at this location that the “Persistence of Spirit: The Phyllis Wheatley Branch of YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis” photo exhibit is on permanent display. The exhibit pays homage to the important role the branch played in the African-American community and St. Louis history. It depicts black life beginning in the early 1900s in St. Louis as well as highlights YWCA landmark programs that have transcended the decades.

Committee on Administration

While segregation no longer plays a role in the administration of the local YWCA, the Committee on Administration (COA), created to manage the day-to-day operations of the Phyllis Wheatley Branch, continues to operate today. Organized in 1911, the Committee on Administration provided direction, guidance and stewardship for the fledgling Phyllis Wheatley Branch. In the earliest days, the COA’s fierce determination kept the branch afloat. Fundraisers and sponsored activities raised necessary monies to support the programs and initiatives, which helped move the Phyllis Wheatley Branch from surviving to thriving.

Today, the COA continues to champion projects and programs for the YWCA. There are other champions as well. Interior Designer, Patrice Munden, along with a group of interior design students provided upgrades and design improvements at the Phyllis Wheatley Transitional Housing Program, located on the Saint Louis University campus, inside the organization’s headquarters. This program provides single, homeless women, ages 18 and older, a place to live for as long as two years. A gathering spot in the facility, however, had become rundown.

After assessing facility, Munden and the students settled on the Community Room as their project-of-choice. This was, in part, because it was unused due to its cold, unwelcoming atmosphere. In fact, Munden was told by one of the residents that the room reminded her of the basement where her boyfriend used to lock her up. According to Munden, “That took our breath away, and we decided we wanted to do that room.” Now, in place of the old, worn-out furniture and outdated décor, the room boasts a warm, friendly atmosphere that encourages residents to gather and get to know one another, something that was lacking before the renovation.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Phyllis Wheatley Legacy

This banner year for the Phyllis Wheatley Branch will be marked with celebrations beginning in September.  Poets interested in participating in the Poems, Prose & Poetry event, can contact Amy Hunter at ahunter@ywcastlouis.org or (314) 531-1115, ext. 270.

To make a donation to YWCA Metro St. Louis, visit their website at http://www.ywcastlouis.org and click on the “Get Involved” link. Individuals or groups interested in viewing the free “Persistence of Spirit: The Phyllis Wheatley Branch of YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis” exhibit may phone the Heritage Center at (314) 652-7755 or send an e-mail to pwhcinfo@ywcastlouis.org.