YWCA History Timeline

1950’s   YWCA was the first community agency to sponsor interracial activities.

1981     First "Turkey Trot" 5K road race for women only.

1985     YW Women's Fitness Center opens its doors as the only all-women’s fitness center in the community.

1986     YW Children's Center opens offering Bristol’s first sliding fee daycare for low income households.

1992     The First YW Tribute To Women raised $88,000 and 130 women were honored through the nomination process.

1995      First “YWCA Week Without Violence."

1998     Welmont Bristol Regional Medical Center and YWCA partner to develop a child development center focused on the unique childcare needs of health care professionals. This state-of-the-art facility is licensed for 120 children.

1998     YWCA Junior Board formed to train young women for leadership roles on Community Boards.

1999     YWCA awarded a state grant to develop Moms-R-Us, teen pregnancy educational support program and teen pregnancy coalition.

2001-2017   YWCA Children’s Center awarded “3” Stars in State of Tennessee New Star-Quality Evaluation Program.  (Three stars is the highest quality achievement awarded.)

2003     YWCA moved into new 30,000 sq. foot facility corner of Pennsylvania & State Street and established new programs.

2005     YW Tech Gyrls After School Program for at-risk youth established with LEAPs (Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs) Grant.  The only all girls program awarded funding.

2006     YWCA received the YWCA USA Racial Justice Award in recognition of racial justice programming.

2007     Tribute to Women expanded to honor women across the Tri-Cities area.

2008     YWCA Bristol presented with the YWCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Council Racial Justice Award in recognition of the association’s racial justice leadership and programming to promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity.

2008     YWCA Junior Board takes on a new community project: A prom dress collection drive to assist underprivileged girls with a dress for proms and formal events.

2011     YWCA Bristol partners with Kingsport Tomorrow to research development of  YWCA programs in the Kingsport community.

2011     YWCA Tribute to Women Celebrating 20 years of exceptional women. 1992-2011 is published documenting twenty years of the YWCA Tribute to Women.

2015     YWCA opens Bristol Bridal Station a social enterprise providing new, affordable, couture wedding dresses and accessories at up to 75% off retail prices. The venture provides funds for YWCA programs.

2015     YWCA Bristol partners with Bristol Train Station to provide management services for the facility.

2015      YWCA Bristol began the Emerge Women’s Professional Development Series providing female specific leadership skills training to women in the Tri Cities

2015        YWCA offers Moms R Us Teen pregnancy programming in Kingsport, TN

2016         YWCA Tribute to Women Celebrating 25 years of exceptional women.  YWCA introduced the Mission Impact Award given to Jewel Bell and the Rising Star Award given to Breanna Franklin

2017          YWCA Bristol receives approval from YWCA USA to change the organization name to YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

2017          YWCA NETN and SWVA partners with Bristol Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities to produce the Over the Edge rappelling fundraiser

2018         YWCA Bristol officially becomes YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

2018         YWCA NETN and SWVA expands Prom Dress Project to serve girls in Southwest Virginia with Wise County dress sale