Published: April 18, 2008 05:05 pm            

Looking to the past: YWCA worker embraces history-based project

It was by a stroke of luck that self-proclaimed “neat freak” Kayte Anton discovered what she considers to be one of the most important pieces of her organization’s history.

It was during a cleaning frenzy when the YWCA community education and prevention specialist discovered two photographs in the bottom of a filing cabinet. The photos are from a regional meeting in Estes Park, in 1923, where YWCA’s from numerous states met — including Enid YWCA.

“This is probably the first picture we have of the women who founded us,” Anton said.

Anton said she began researching the YWCA’s history once she unearthed boxes of records, lists of board members and brochures about services the organization offered.

“In my digging, I’ve come across some amazing pieces of the YWCAs history in Enid,” Anton said.

In her research, Anton said she discovered Enid YWCA, which was founded in 1920, offered programs in the early first half of the century similar to the programs the organization offers today.

“It’s amazing, the women in the ’20s and ’30s were fighting for the same things we are today,” Anton said. “We’re just continuing on what these very progressive women did in the 1920s.”

According to pamphlets and brochures Anton found, YWCA was a trailblazer in the state.

Enid YWCA offered the first interracial programs and the first employment services for women in northwest Oklahoma, and is a founding member of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Anton also learned that when the YWCA Option House (now Crisis Center) opened in 1979, it was the first program in the state to open specifically for battered women and their children.

“Eventually, I want to get this all catalogued so people can see all of our history and truly understand what we are still working for on a daily basis,” she said. “I think a lot of people may not realize what an impact our organization has had in northwest Oklahoma. Enid is a very forward-thinking city and I would like to think that the YWCA has played a large part in Enid’s progress.”

Anton said she’s discovered “boxes and boxes” of documents and files, including a type-written set of by-laws from the 1930s with items crossed out in pencil with changes written above.

Despite Anton’s discoveries, a complete history of the organization isn’t available.

“Before 1970, we don’t have a lot,” she said. “We start seeing better record-keeping in the late 70s and early 80s.”

Anton said she wasn’t sure why the gap exists, but attributes the move of the organization in 1982 to its current location, 525 S. Quincy, as added confusion, as well as changes in programs.

“Who in their right mind would put these in a filing cabinet?” Anton asks, holding the two pictures.

One of the hopes Anton has for the collection of the organization’s history is to inspire those in Enid to connect with the YWCA as their ancestors did. Browsing board member lists and documents from the 20s and 30s, Anton said she has recognized some of the names.

“Some of these names are still in Enid,” she said.

Her hope is those whose grandparents, or great-grandparents, were involved in the organization would also want to be a part of the YWCA.

“My goal is to put all of these wandering pieces of history back together again and form a clearer picture for the next generation,” Anton said.

Anton is asking anyone with pictures, documents or information about the YWCA between the 1920s to 1960s to contact her at the YWCA at 234-7581 or email kanton@ywcaenid.com.