Younger Woman's Club Mission

The Younger Woman's Club strives to promote among the younger women of Louisville, an active involvement and intelligent interest in culture and civic affairs in the community.

History of the Younger Woman's Club

The Younger Woman’s Club (YWC) of Louisville was founded on October 14, 1921, with its purpose “to promote among the younger women of Louisville, an active involvement and intelligent interest in culture and civic affairs in the community.” With 125 young ladies comprising the founding class, dues were two dollars and fifty cents until 1925, when they were raised to five dollars. Meetings were held bimonthly at 3p.m. with afternoon tea being served. The civic works of our early members formed a tradition, which has continued to grow for eighty years. Early years of service included many volunteer hours to the Red Cross City Hospital, the YMCA, and the Girl Scouts.

In the 30’s, the YWC began its work with the Kentucky Children’s Home, continuing service there until 1969. For sixteen years, an on-going fundraiser for the Club was the sale of tickets to the Cincinnati Symphony Concert Series. The age limits for membership was raised to thirty-five. In 1939, the YWC Play was opened to the public and raised $1,600.00 for charity.

In the 40’s, World War II brought with it dramatic changes. Throughout the duration of the war the Club formed a Defense Committee to help Louisville’s service organizations and to perform war-related community projects. In 1945, total membership reached a record 175.

In the 50’s, the age limit was raised to 38 and YWC became a non-profit, non-stock organization. The first Charity Ball was held in 1954 at the Kentucky Hotel and brought in $3,141.00. The Ball became an annual event five years later. There was such a crowd at the Ball in 1960 that it was moved to Freedom Hall. Since then the Ball has been held at the Bluegrass Convention Center, Louisville Gardens, The Galt House, The Hyatt, The Seelbach Hotel, the Convention Center, The Olmstead and the Henry Clay Building.

In the 60’s, the Club fielded a Community Chess team for the annual drive. The Club awarded its first Citizen Laureate Award to Robert S. Whitney, Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. Membership dues became twenty-five dollars.

In the 80’s, the first YWC Show house became reality with the help of Owsley B. Frazier, Bittners, and Dr. Bertolone. Local Charities received $33,342 from the proceeds of the first Show house.

In the 90’s, the graduation age was changed from 38 to 45. The YWC Style Show became a fundraiser and the “Monticello” to serve as the YWC show house. Other fundraisers in the late 90’s included the Tortoise and the Hare 5K run/walk held in St. Matthews and the advent of the YWC cookbook, Bon Appétit.

In the 2000’s, the YWC changed the length of time to become an YWC member, (from the standard two years to one). With the past ten years seeing a change in membership from 20% working wives and mothers to 70% working women, the club felt a need to simplify the process.  Major fund raising events were the Charity Ball and Auction, the Walk/Run, and the Monticello/Leaf Show house. The YWC received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award, an award presented to an organization with a proven record of generosity and which has demonstrated civic and charitable responsibility.

In 2001, The Charity Campaign donated $80,000.00 to twenty charitable organizations. The YWC “teed off’ with the first annual “Nine and Dine” golf scramble at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club raising $ 1,100. A crowning glory was the proclamation from the Mayor of Louisville, proclaiming October 14, 2001 as “Younger Women’s Club Day”.  The Charity Ball raised over $40,000.00 with a wild and wonderful Winter Safari theme. The Charity Campaign donated $100,000.00 to twenty-seven charitable organizations this 80th anniversary year. The total amount of all YWC Charity Campaigns to date is $3,000,000.00 with one hundred percent of all contributing aiding Community organizations.

In 2003-2004, two of our most successful events were the Annual YWC Holiday Tea with over 90 in attendance and a new event, a Holiday Couples Cocktail Party; both events were held at the historic Frazier House. The beginning of 2004 turned our focus and attention to the 50th anniversary of the YWC Charity Ball. The 2004 ball raised $33,000 for the charity campaign due to very successful silent and live auctions. When we completed our fund-raising cycle, the members of the Younger Woman’s Club of Louisville announced the allocation of $55,000.00 to 18 agencies in April.

Our unending commitment to improving our community through volunteering and fundraising makes the YWC an invaluable asset to the Kentuckiana area. The time spent with each other through these charitable efforts and social occasions enriches the lives of each of our members. The “YES WE CARE” (YWC) slogan perfectly describes the attitudes of our organization. We take great pleasure and pride in being part of the Younger Woman’s Club.

In 2009-2010, the Fall Business Meeting was held in September at Standard Country Club.  Over 80 people attended the meeting. 

Throughout the year, a new bi-weekly e-mail update called the YWC Scoop was utilized to keep members, recent graduates and the Woman’s Club Advisory committee apprised of upcoming events in the club.  In addition, the LOG was sent electronically rather than by mail.  These changes saved over $3,000 in printing and mailing expenses. 

For the first time ever, the annual Fashion Show was held in the Fall rather than the Spring.  In October, over 225 people attended the Fashion Show and over $7,000 was raised.  As a result, the by-laws were changed to include the Fashion Show as an official fundraising event of the YWC.

In December, the tradition of serving tea at the Holiday Tea was renewed.  Over 80 people enjoyed the tea, holiday music, decorations, lunch and shopping.  For the first time, the Holiday Tea netted a profit of $1,000 which was donated to the Charity Campaign.

In February, the annual Younger Woman’s Club Charity Ball – called The Candy Ball – was held at the Marriott Downtown.  Guests enjoyed dinner, dancing to the music of Nervous Melvin, and a silent auction.  Lynnie Meyer was named YWC’s 2010 Citizen Laureate.  The charity ball continues to be the charity campaign’s biggest fundraiser.

The economic downturn and stock market crises made fundraising a challenge.  However, nearly $70,000 was raised for local charities.  In May, over 100 members and grant recipients enjoyed the Allocations Celebration in which recipients received grant funds. 

The Fine Arts Committee scheduled several interesting events such as a technical rehearsal of “The Christmas Story” at Actor’s Theater, a wine-tasting at L & N Wine Bar, and a private showing of photographs by Yousuf Karsh at the Speed Art Museum.

The last meeting was held in May at Big Springs Country Club.  We welcomed 33 members-elect to active status and said thank you and congratulations to 4 graduates.