BOARDMAN At banquet, YWCA honors Women of Year

The YWCA is planning a $5 million to $7 million fund-raising campaign to support a six-year building renovation project.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- The YWCA should strive for diversity and inclusiveness as it works to serve the women of the 21st century, according to a past president of its board of trustees.
"If we're really a community-based organization, we're going to have to look at all of the segments of society in the Youngstown area," said Mary B. Smith, 90, a former YWCA trustee and retired Youngstown State University administrator.
During her career at YSU, she taught biology and served as registrar, recorder and assistant dean of admissions and records before retiring in 1980 as director of career planning and placement.
Smith was the keynote speaker Wednesday at the YWCA's Women of the Year awards banquet at Mr. Anthony's, where 17 local women nominated by local businesses and organizations were honored for their unique contributions to the community.
The event marked the 25th year of this awards program, which has honored more than 300 Mahoning Valley women.
Smith, who was honored as the organization's 1988 woman of the year, noted that the YWCA stands for Young Women's Christian Association.
She said, however, the organization must also recognize and serve women of other faiths and "reach out and include all segments of the community.''
A need for support
She also said a broad base of community support will be needed for endeavors such as the renovation of the YWCA's 1912-vintage headquarters at 25 W. Rayen Ave. "to keep it a livable building."
"The building is old, and it's constantly in need of upkeep," she said. "I would like to see that place busy 24 hours a day," she added.
The YWCA plans to launch a $5 million to $7 million capital fund-raising campaign in the spring for the three-phase, six-year renovation project, said Connie Shaffer, YWCA executive director.
The renovation will convert the former pool area into a multistory youth center, and convert the first floor into a business conference center, and possibly a business incubator.
The fitness center and upstairs dormitory also will be renovated, Shaffer said. The YWCA is seeking proposals from architects for the project, she added.
The first YWCA was established in Boston in 1858, and the Youngstown YWCA was founded in 1905, Shaffer said. With 324 YWCAs nationwide, the organization calls itself the nation's oldest and largest women's membership movement.
"The YW is all about creating opportunities and leadership positions for women in our community, and that's part of our mission. This event really helps to spotlight and highlight some of those areas," said Chris Gabrick, a Canfield certified public accountant, YWCA trustee and event committee chairwoman.