The Gazette

NO COLOR-LINES IN THE BUFFALO Y. W. C. A!
ALL DEPARTMENTS OPEN TO ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS, EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OVER!

Our Girls Active In Practically All Its Classes As Well As Departments—The Pool Used By All Members

Secretary Jane Hunter.
NO COLOR-LINES IN THE BUFFALO Y. W. C. A!

Several weeks ago, Miss Eleanor Richardson, who came to Cleveland from Baltimore in recent months to take the executive secretaryship of the local YWCA, called a conference which was attended by about a dozen of our women and three or four of our men, all more or less prominent locally. As near as we could figure it out, Miss Richardson had called the meeting for the purpose of trying to satisfy our people of the community with its (YWCA) color-lines against our girls and women eligible to membership in the organization. Of course she failed! With this explanation the following communications will be easily understood:

Cleveland, May 10, 1937.

Hon. Harry C. Smith,

Editor Gazette, City.

Dear Sir:—After our recent conference at the YWCA with its executive secretary, Miss Eleanor Richardson, one of the ladies attending the meeting (an outstanding lady) challenged me to tell where any YWCA gave our girls any more than the Cleveland YWCA. So I wrote to my niece in Buffalo, N. Y., to have a friend of ours send me the "set-up" of the YWCA there. So I am sending the same to you.

Lethia C. Fleming.

Buffalo, N. Y., May 3, 1937.

Mrs. Lethia C. Fleming,

2342 E. 40th St.,

Cleveland, Ohio.

My dear Mrs. Fleming:—

Buffalo's YWCA constitution declares its membership to be of three types—electors, associate members and junior members, and qualifies ALL women and girls in the community.

Facilities are available without discrimination including use of the pool which usually is a mooted question. We have two Negro women on the board of directors, one a member-at-large and the other as chairman of our interracial committee. Membership on other various committees are extant and chosen on basis of personal interest.

Negro girls are in practically all classes, and in all departments. The first-vice president of the business and professional department is a Negro girl—she having also served as program chairman, and in various other executive capacities. Many in industrial department and assembly. For two years, consecutively, the chairmen were Negro girls. Elected by vote of assembly on basis of acknowledged ability. As part-time workers, we have Negro musicians in various branches and departments. Camp also offers a most natural and normal outlet. For years we have had Negro counsellors—in the main heading music—and many Negro campers.

Not recently have we had resentment displayed in town activities. At first there was criticism in the pool. At camp, often parents do not wish their children to live with Negro children. In each instance of criticism, they are given the alternative of participating according to principles, or taking themselves to other facilities.

Buffalo "YW" cannot boast a large Negro attendance. We run true to form: after we get what we want, we don't want it, but it is satisfying to have the constitutional privileges.

V. Freda Seigworth, metropolitan industrial department secretary in Cleveland, 1710 Prospect Ave., knows much about the development of Buffalo's policy. She was executive in the central branch when they were affected, and did much in way of pioneering. Gertrude E. Wilson, who at present is associated with Dr. Grace E. Coyle at Western Reserve University, was also metropolitan industrial executive in Buffalo at the same time. I wish you could contact either of these, they would not only be helpful in your attempt to push through for equal opportunity, but would welcome your interest. V. Freda has frequently mentioned her efforts to work with Jane Hunter but encountered a "hands off" reception.

I cannot begin to write all the advantages of interracial participation, but am confident you are right in wanting constitutionally the thing you are entitled to. If there are other specific questions, do not hesitate to ask me. I do not know the new metropolitan executive in Cleveland—Mabel Head, whom I knew has just retired. Trusting that these musings at random will be of assistance, and with much love to you and Mr. Fleming,

I am cordially yours,

Ercelle E. Harmon.

Buffalo YWCA Constitution

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

We, the Young Women's Christian Association of Buffalo, New York, a member of the Young Women's Christian Associations of the United States of America, declare our purpose to be:

To build a fellowship of women and girls devoted to the task of realizing in our common life those ideals of personal and social living to which we are committed by our faith as Christians.

In this endeavor we seek to understand Jesus, to share his love for ALL people, and to grow in the knowledge and love of God,

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: TYPES—Members of this Association shall be of three types: electors, associate members, and junior members,

a. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTORS: Any woman or girl of the community, eighteen years of age or over, who accepts this purpose by assenting to the following declaration shall be entitled to electoral membership in the Association:

Together with other members of the Buffalo Association, I desire to belong to this fellowship and to share in the responsibility for the realization of the purpose.

b. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Any woman or girl eighteen years of age or over may become an associate member of this Association by signifying her desire to do so through such channels as the Board of Directors shall provide.

c. JUNIOR MEMBERS: Any girl under eighteen years of age who signifies her desire to belong to the Young Women's Christian Association and to carry out its purpose, may become a junior member either by joining a group or by individual application through the channels provided by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. -RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS.

a. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTORS: An elector in this Association assumes responsibility for the heritage of the Young Women's Christian Association and for its on-going life, including its national and international relationships and the carrying out of convention actions.