{"id":14,"date":"2016-11-21T07:31:39","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T07:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lebanonywca.org\/beirut\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2024-06-05T08:01:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T08:01:07","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lebanonywca.org\/beirut\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"

YWCA was introduced in the Middle East by the American missionaries in the late 19th century. It started in Turkey then in Syria and later in Lebanon.<\/h3>\n
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1900-1912: Lebanon YWCA<\/h4>\n
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  • Meetings in homes for Bible study and fellowship.<\/li>\n
  • Work among students in mission schools.<\/li>\n
  • The first local committee organized to work among women in Beirut.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \n

    1920: Post War Lebanon<\/h4>\n
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    • Initiation of YWCA \u2018Service Center\u2019 at Jessie Taylor Memorial School, marking the first Center in Lebanon, the Beirut YWCA.<\/li>\n
    • Opening of first hostel for girls.<\/li>\n
    • Introduction of educational and recreational programs for women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      1924-1927: Move to Downtown Beirut Business Area<\/h4>\n
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      • Work with children and Armenian refugees.<\/li>\n
      • Introduction of Language and Business Classes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
        \n

        1927\u20131935: Move to Fakhry Bey Street<\/h4>\n
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        • First summer camp for girls at Araya.<\/li>\n
        • Development of The Girl Reserves Movement.<\/li>\n
        • Edma Bayouth, first Lebanese woman co-opted into the work of the YWCA.<\/li>\n
        • Research on working conditions of women and girls in factories which prompted work on:<\/li>\n
        • Problem of child labor.<\/li>\n
        • Working conditions for women (Long hours, poor wages and malnutrition).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
          \n

          1936 \u20131940: Results of YWCA Research and Action<\/h4>\n
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          • Formation of Nutrition camps in Beirut and the mountains.<\/li>\n
          • Introduction of Night schools in different sections of Beirut<\/li>\n
          • Inspection of factories with the help of YWCA volunteers and dismissal of underage children.<\/li>\n
          • Team of A.U.B. student volunteers teaching in night schools.<\/li>\n
          • Formation of a volunteer committee, including experts, to work on a labor law with special stress on child labor. This led to Legislation No.1946 stipulating:<\/li>\n
          • 8 hours work\/day<\/li>\n
          • Maternity leave\/sick leave<\/li>\n
          • Non-employment of children under 13 years of age<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            1940-1943:<\/h4>\n
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            • Shift from American leadership to Lebanese<\/li>\n
            • Work with displaced persons.<\/li>\n
            • Introduction of Business girls clubs.<\/li>\n
            • Special attention given to Leadership training for women.<\/li>\n
            • Introduction of day camps for children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
              \n

              1944 \u20131948:<\/h4>\n
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              • Beirut YWCA programs housed in five rented localities.<\/li>\n
              • Decision to have a YWCA building.<\/li>\n
              • First building campaign.<\/li>\n
              • Work with Palestinian refugees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
                \n

                1951- 1962:<\/h4>\n
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                • Vocational School established with the support of Point IV, the U.S. aid program.<\/li>\n
                • Beirut day nursery initiated.<\/li>\n
                • Purchase of plot in Ain Mreisseh and plans set for the building.<\/li>\n
                • First Flower Show.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
                  \n

                  1967:<\/h4>\n