Article Spotlight: Celebrating 1901-1992
Over our 125 years of service, YWCA of Greater Portland has had many stories to tell! In our Article Spotlight series, we’re digging through our archives to reveal treasures from the many newsletters we created throughout the 20th century.
From community member recognitions to organization milestones, event calendars, policy updates, education, and more, these newsletters provide a window into the life and work of Portland women throughout our history.
This article comes to us from the Winter 1992 issue of Y’s Words, our community newsletter. The original author of this article is unknown.
Like thousands of others Frances McGill learned to swim at the YWCA. But that is not the only connection between Ms. McGill and the YWCA of Portland - both of them were born in 1901!
The YWCA of Portland was incorporated in January, 1901. Across town, on January 30, 1901, Frances Dwane McGill was born, the only child of a fourth generation Oregon family.
In 1908, Frances started school, the first step in a life devoted to education. She attended St. Mary’s Academy, and graduated from the University of Oregon. She went on to do graduate work at the University of Washington and Columbia University in New York City.
In 1908, two years after sending relief to San Francisco earthquake victims, the YWCA of Portland laid the cornerstone for their new building at SW Broadway and Taylor. Frances remembers the “old” building on SW Broadway - its large rooms and dark wood decoration. The building was a tangible sign that the YWCA was “here to stay.”
The new YWCA building on SW Broadway and Taylor (1908)
Frances became a teacher and counselor, and served as Head of Counseling for the Portland Public Schools until her retirement in 1966.
During this time the YWCA of Portland grew. In 1958, just 50 years after the first cornerstone was laid, a new cornerstone was placed at the current location on SW 10th and Main. This building had a fitness facility, complete with a pool, meeting rooms, and residence/hotel space for women. The YWCA continues to serve the community from this location, as well as two other sites in Portland and Camp Westwind on the Oregon coast.
After her official retirement, Frances took a position with the Department of Defense. She worked with the children of American personnel, identifying and treating their emotional and social problems. Based in Europe from 1966 until 1974, upon her second retirement, Frances took a year and drove around Europe.
In 1974, the YWCA of Portland opened the Women’s Resource Center. One of the first resource centers in Oregon, it is now the largest in the state, serving thousands of women and their families each year.
Frances re-settled in Portland, in 1975. She came to the YWCA for Bridge classes, and remained an active participant, attending at least once a week, until 1989.
For 90 years, the stories of the YWCA of Portland and Frances McGill have been intertwined. Frances says, “the YWCA has been unusually sensitive to the needs of girls and women.” Still active in keeping up with community issues, Frances thinks “the Transitional School for Children of Homeless Families is fantastic.”
Starting in 1901, and continuing through to today, both have served their community, and in the process had a positive impact on thousands of individuals. January, 1992 will mark a double celebration of caring and involvement. The YWCA of Portland is pleased to share its birthday with Frances McGill and hopes the tradition shall continue for many years.
In 2026, we’re celebrating 125 years of YWCAPDX. Join us as we look back on the moments and people that built our legacy.
Get details on our 125th Anniversary Birthday Bash on September 24th:
