Happy International Women’s Day! We’ll celebrate March with some special women focused posts.
On the corner of Grant and 5th Streets is the iconic white building with red doors – The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association). It was built in a Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival in 1927, with additions in 1974, 1975 and 1997 (Otto Holmanag was the original architect, Mudrovich Architects for the additions). The building was not origially U-shaped. The wing on the east side was an addition!
The very first Executive Director of the YWCA was Alma Blandin. The Women’s Literary Society worked to start YWCA in 1922, and Alma helped to lead it for its first 20 years (until her death in 1942). Under her leadership the yearly tradition of Hanging of the Greens began, and camp opportunities were created.
In 1927 the YWCA moved into their new home and classes were expanded to offer young women even more opportunities in dance, arts and physical education. Her endless dedication to the arts helped to ensure that the arts were an important part of our community- and still are today, having influenced the forming of organizations such as Wausau Community Theatre and Wausau Civic Music Association.
