WHO WE ARE

Our mission: YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

For 75 years, the YWCA has stood alone as the only YW in the territory between Lynchburg, VA and Knoxville, TN. While our roots are firmly planted in Bristol, TN, our work branches to eight counties in northeast Tennessee and 13 counties in southwest Virginia. Our regional initiatives link to the world-wide YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women shared by our sister associations throughout 122 countries around the globe.

Established in 1943, our local association began as a residence for women who came to the area seeking employment during World War II. Growing from a home for the “Rosie the Riveters” of southern Appalachia, we are now a multi-site, multi-million dollar human services and advocacy operation, serving nearly 9,000 annually. From the beginning, we have tackled some of the toughest community issues including the need for affordable childcare, racial injustice, teen pregnancy, and gender disparity and our work continues...