On Thursday, June 9, Millersville University received various historical documents and artifacts as a donation from YWCA Lancaster. Dr. Aminta Breaux, Vice President for Advancement at Millersville University and Martha Lester Harris, CEO YWCA Lancaster, signed the donation agreement.
“YWCA Lancaster is honored to collaborate with Millersville University and the Francine McNairy Library to preserve the historical records and documents of our 127-year-old association,” said Harris. “Since 1889,YWCA Lancaster has met the changing needs of women and families in Lancaster County, providing housing, education, enrichment, social justice and counseling to empower women and eliminate racism. Our rich and diverse history traces the evolution of women’s roles from industrial workers in factories, to political and business leadership in all sectors of our economy and levels of government. The donation of archival material and artifacts ensures that the history of YWCA Lancaster is preserved for generations of Women’s Scholars, African American scholars and honors students.”
Various pieces of historical significance, from photographs to correspondences to clothing, will assume residence in the Archives and Special Collections in Millersville’s Francine McNairy Library. Once the archives can be processed and organized, they will be made available to students, researchers and the public.
To the same degree that the YWCA is willing to donate these archives, Millersville University is eager to receive them.
Dr. Marilyn Parrish, University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian said, “Archives & Special Collections at Millersville University is proud to offer a home for these valuable community resources and looks forward to continued collaborations with the YWCA.”
The public will be invited to access the YWCA archival collection after it has been processed.
One reply on “‘Ville Receives YWCA Archives”
I am a History major seeking a career in archiving and am excited to hear this news! Best of luck to the team who has the awesome task of preserving the items.