Honouring the women who have shaped the YMCA

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I would like to invite you to honour some of the remarkable women who have shaped and continue to lead our YMCA movement.

I am especially thankful to Y-USA, which has kept wonderful records of its own pioneering women, like:

  •  Ellen Brown (1886): Its first female employee, Ellen, was the “boys’ work secretary,” pioneering roles for women in the YMCA.
  •  Addie Hunton (World War I): One of only three African American women serving over 200,000 Black troops in France
  • Wilhelmina “Willie” Aveling (1933): Joining the Chicago YMCA, Willie enhanced programs for women and girls, becoming the first woman inducted into the YMCA National Hall of Fame.
  • Winifred Colton (1957): As the first female professional on the national staff, Winifred championed women’s roles within the YMCA.
  • Violet P. Henry (1976): Breaking barriers, Violet became the first woman in a top management position at the national office, advocating for women and people of color.
  •  And now Suzanne McCormick (2021): As the first woman to serve as CEO of YMCA of the USA, Suzanne leads with vision and dedication.

Beyond USA, we celebrate great YMCA women leaders like:

  • Patricia Pelton (2018): Elected as the first female President of World YMCA in its 174-year history, Patricia’s leadership continues to inspire us all.
  • Lantonirina (’Nirina’) Rakotomalala (2019), the first woman to serve as General Secretary of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs. Appointed in January 2019, she has been instrumental in advancing youth empowerment and organizational development across Africa.

I was elected President of the World YMCA in 2022, following in the footsteps of these trailblazers and others — like Grace Chan and Mei Ling Wu in Asia, Emma Osmundsen and Alina Pop in Europe, Marisia Donatelli in Latin America, and Ethiopia Tilahun in Africa, among many others—who have paved the way for future generations and continue to lead with wisdom, faith and courage.

As we celebrate the women who have led and continue to lead within the YMCA, let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and girls everywhere.

‘When sleeping women wake, mountains move.’
Chinese Proverb