YWCA celebrating 120 years anniversary later this month

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A local organization is celebrating 120 years in the region.

The YWCA, a group that got it's start in conjunction with the Worlds Fair, is going strong addressing their mission of eliminating racism and empowering women as it gets ready for it's anniversary.

YWCA serves over 10,000 women and their families annually, with programs offers includes their Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Service System, which offers shelter and housing to abuse victims.

"We are in partnership with a multitude of hospitals and if a women shows up, we're the first call made," said Dr. Cheryl Watkins, President and CEO YWCA Metro St. Louis on Total Information A.M. Thursday. "Our advocates go out to bedside to bring them whatever they need and we walk them through the judicial system if they need orders of protections. If they need housing and fleeing from a domestic situation, we have one of the largest HUDs contract in the city so we can place a woman in safe housing in either the city or county."

YWCA has been through since it was first former back in 1904, as it was originally formed for white woman.

"The YWCA has a interesting history as when it started in 1904, it was only for white women," said Dr. Watkins. "Several years later there was a branch that African American women formed, the Phillis Wheatley branch, but they weren't allowed to coalesce until 1941."

YWCA has plenty of events and programs coming up that can help both women and men connect with the YWCA, including a 24-hour fundraiser that began Wednesday.

"You don't have to dress up and come to a gala, it is an online event and what's really cool about this event is that it's a four to one match so for every dollar you donate, that four dollars that come to the organization," said Watkins.

Watkins says the goal of the 24 hour fundraiser is to get $120,000, to honor the organization's 120th anniversary and currently according to YWCA's website, the organization is over $108,000 at the moment.

To donate you can click here .