1948

The Galt YWCA is born. Programs include sewing, cooking, leatherwork, camera club, shell work, drama and basketball. Memberships cost $1 per year, with 250 sold. A rooms registry for working girls is the top priority.

1949

Our first fashion show is produced. An "Education for Election" night is organized, to inform women and girls about their responsibility to exercise their right to vote, and to do so intelligently.

1952

A day camp for girls aged 10-12 is held for the first time.

1955

The YWCA is incorporated and work begins to expand our facilities.

1957

Saturday Teen Dances are first organized, with crowds of 375 to 430 people per week!

1961

At the 21st national YWCA convention, Mrs. A. V. MacQuarrie, Galt Vice President, presents a resolution on Greenbelts. "Man does not live by bread alone. Let us insist that there is space for people to breathe. Let us fight with every weapon available to preserve those areas which now exist, but are in imminent danger of spoilation."

1964

Program attendance reaches 34,712. Memberships rise to 1,515. A babysitting course is introduced.

1968

A new day care centre is opened in Cambridge house, in partnership with the Kinsmen Club. Tiny Tot classes and a noon hour jogging club are introduced.

1971

The YW develops a Big Sisters program.

1973

Our 25th anniversary! We open the Cambridge Volunteer Bureau.

1975

Women's program classes are introduced, with the purpose of providing women with leadership skills, helping them deal with societal changes in women's roles, and assisting in personal growth.

1981

A social action group is started, focusing on violence against women.

1988

The new building on Industrial Road opens. The YW refocuses on affordable, high-quality child care.

1993

"Catch the Wind", a community awareness event on breast health and a memorial to victims of breast cancer, begins. The first Cambridge Women of Distinction Awards Dinner is held with 150 in attendance.

1996

The YWCA Week Without Violence is initiated. This international program, introduced to the world by the YWCA of the USA, encourages and challenges people to live violence-free for seven days.

1998

We celebrate our 50th anniversary. As a special tribute, the 50 most influential women in the history of the YWCA are honoured.

1999

The first YWCA of Cambridge Award is presented. This prize, funded by the proceeds of Women of Distinction, is presented annually to a graduating female secondary school student in Cambridge, who is pursuing post-secondary education in a non-traditional field.