Beginning April 6, 1942, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) launched special "Keep Fit" classes at its 405 Broadway location. Instruction was being offered in golf, tennis, swimming and Badminton (pictured.) Classes would be held both morning and evenings to accomodate those working in the defense industries. The YWCA operated under the adage learned from war torn England, that adequate exercise was a morale builder. (T. Times 4/10/1942, pg. 3)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Badminton;

Large group picture taken at February 1943 function of the Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

In order to maintain her position as a USO junior hostess, a girl was required to attend one function a week. Most of the girls enjoyed attending the dances and therefore needed a large supply of formal dances. One group of girls met weekly at the YMCA to make their own dresses. Patiently having the pattern pinned to her is Carolyn Moore, next to her is an unidentified woman doing the pinning. Looking on are, left to right, Marian Allen, Myrl Van Den Heuvel and Anna MacWillman. (TNT 8/2/1942, pg. A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Moore, Carolyn; MacWillman, Anna; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

Enjoying an informal social hour preceding the monthly meeting of the Presidents' Council at the YWCA were (l-r) : Mrs. Paul R. Gore, Mrs. Carlisle Dietrich, Mrs. W.J. Fabey, Mrs. George C. Starlund, Mrs. Everett Jensen and Mrs. Robert E. Levinson. The women posed on October 18, 1951, around a lace cloth covered table with silver tea and coffee service. The Presidents' Council was composed of leaders of local clubs. (TNT 10-20-51, p. 5-alt. photograph)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Presidents' Council (Tacoma); Gore, Paul R.--Family; Dietrich, Carlisle--Family; Fabey, W.J.--Family; Starlund, George C.--Family; Jensen, Everett--Family; Levinson, Robert E.--Family;

Mrs. Marchell Sterns, Normanettes. The Normanette Women's Chorus Ensemble poses with their conductor and pianist. This was their fourth annual concert and was given at Weyerhaeuser Hall at the YWCA, May 29, 1947. One of their groups of songs was conprised of four songs, each in a different Scandinavian language. The rest of the program was sacred and classical music with some in a lighter vein. Names listed. (T.Times, 5/24/1947, p.12; 5/28/1947, p.4)

Choirs (Music); Conductors; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Normanette Women's Chorus Ensemble (Tacoma); Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma);

Nativity play portraying Mary, baby Jesus, and three wise men for the Gift of the Magi. The Monday Civic Club presented a program of living Madonnas at Weyerhaeuser Hall. The players were, L-R, Mrs. Byron Moye, Mrs. Frank T. Rybin, Mrs. H.F. Harmon and Elsie M. (Mrs. George B.) Cicovich. (T.Times, 12/25/1946, p.7)

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Biblical events; Cicovich, Elsie M.;

An unidentified womens group perform a Scandinavian folkdance wearing Scandinavian costumes. Spectators can be seen around the edges of the dance floor. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Association, Mr. Metcalf.

Choirs (Music); Ethnic groups; Costumes--Scandinavian; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The High School Girl Reserve Conference banquet was held at the Tacoma YWCA on January 28, 1932. There were many girls seated at banquet tables along with others standing next to the walls. The Girl Reserves was a Christian organization for girls sponsored by the Young Womens Christian Association.

Youth organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Girl Reserves (Tacoma); Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Teenagers--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Swimming class at Y.W.C.A., Young Womens Christian Association. Five women wearing swimsuits and swim caps gathered around diving board with woman instructor in November of 1939.

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Diving--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swimmers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bathing suits--1930-1940;

The Tacoma Women's Club sponsored "Through the Looking Glass", a fashion hat show, at the YWCA's Weyerhaeuser Hall in March 1947. Verne Sawyer, from KMO radio, was the show's master of ceremonies. Club members modeled the latest fashion in hats. The show also featured Tom Breneman's newest hat, direct from Hollywood. View of hat show model wearing chicken hat (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 5).

Fashion shows--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Chickens--Tacoma; Millinery; Hats--1940-1950; Weyerhaeuser Hall (Tacoma); Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Women's Club (Tacoma);

On October 15, 1940, the Ladies' Musical Club held a Golden Jubilee Celebration concert and tea at the Weyerhaeuser Hall at the YWCA. The concert was a reproduction of the first program of the club held on October 28, 1890 in the home of Mrs. C.J. Kershaw. The following tea was served on fifty year old settings and members were requested to dress in Gay Nineties style. Current members plus over 20 charter members attended. The Club was the first music association of its type to form west of Chicago. The first roster of the club represented all of the first families of church, civic, industrial, commercial and financial leaders. Through the years, the organization has brought talented performers to Tacoma and has helped to develop local young musicians. (T.Times 10/4/1940, pg. 3)

Ladies Musical Club (Tacoma); Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Opera group at Y.W.C.A. (T. Times)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. Ladies musical club taken at YWCA - about 50 ladies on stage with man in center holding book. Book on music stand open.

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

This group of Tacoma youngsters has been "diving" into swimming instruction all summer long at the YWCA pool and they are getting along "swimmingly." For the first time, the pool had remained open all summer long to provide recreation for those kids spending their long vacation days at home. The children pictured standing left to right, looking pretty identical in swim caps, are Larry Nell, Wilma Hartnack, June Otto and Nancy Lee Coons. Seated are Noble Halladay, Kenneth Robinson, Dale Anderson and Sonja Strauman. (T. Times 08-31-1942 p.10)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

Swimming was a popular sport in the 1950's; young teens also were interested in synchronized routines. These four young girls practiced their synchronized swimming in the Y.W.C.A. pool. Here they stand in a January, 1956, photograph, demonstrating the lifted knee, pointed toe position they would soon resume in the water. The girls are dressed similarly in form fitting tops with short skirts, roped necklaces and swim caps. The third girl from the left has been identified as Grace Williams. Photograph ordered by the Y.W.C.A.

Swimmers--Tacoma; Synchronized swimming--Tacoma; Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Four young synchronized swimmers, names not provided, practice their routines in the Y.W.C.A. pool at 405 Broadway in January of 1956. Each girl has one leg bent and arms extended. They are all wearing black suits with small skirts and swim caps. Although this form of "water ballet" had been around since the turn of the 20th century, it seemed to gain a renewed popularity in the '40s and '50s when champion swimmer Esther Williams appeared in several Hollywood movies for MGM which featured elaborate swimming routines and diving. Photograph ordered by the Y.W.C.A.

Swimming--Tacoma; Synchronized swimming--Tacoma; Children swimming--Tacoma--1950-1960; Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Children enjoying the Y.W.C.A. pool. On April 6, 1929, three young girls prepared to dive, under the watchful supervision of instructors, into the Young Women's Christian Association pool located at 405 Broadway. They have attracted a small group of curious bystanders in the walkway above the pool. Other small children are already enjoying the soothing waters. The pool, named after Mrs. Harriet Strong, was among the amenities included in the newly opened Y.W.C.A. concrete-and-brick Georgian structure which was dedicated in mid-December of 1928. This is believed to be the children's swim class, open to all girls 8-14, held each Saturday morning. (TDL 4-9-29, p. 12-article on the YWCA)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Diving--Tacoma--1920-1930; Swimmers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Ladies' Musical Club celebrated their fifty years of existence with a concert and tea in Weyerhaeuser Hall at the YWCA. The group had its first concert on October 28, 1890 in one of the member's homes. Over 20 charter members of the organization attended the Golden Jubilee celebration. (T. Times 10/4/1940, pg. 3)

Ladies Musical Club (Tacoma); Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

The Normanettes were going to perform their 3rd Annual Spring Concert at Weyerhauser Hall Y.W.C.A. Members of the Normanettes are all Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or Islandic descent. Every year they study folksongs of their mother countries for their annual concert. View of the Normanettes, photo ordered by Mrs. Marchell Stenns (T. Times, 5/20/46, p. 2).

Evening gowns--Tacoma; Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Normanette Womens Chorus Ensemble (Tacoma);

With summer just around the corner, the young daughters of Marion C. Edwards of Browns Point posed on May 8th in what the well dressed young lady would be wearing for summer fun in 1947. Sherry (left, age 11) patiently tried to convince baby sister Wendy Sue (1 1/2) to remove her hand from her mouth while next in line was pigtailed Gretchen, age 6, and Jane, age 3. All four girls were dressed in sun suits, ankle socks and dress shoes. (T. Times, 5/10/47, p. 1- different image of same girls).

Posing; Fashion models--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Edwards, Sherry; Edwards, Wendy Sue; Edwards, Gretchen; Edwards, Jane;

YWCA, Teen Age Department, Phyllis Porter. Three teenagers are looking at long tickets.

Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

This group of newly minted mermaids was photographed in the Y.W.C.A. pool, 405 Broadway, on August 27, 1942. For the first time, the pool remained open for the whole summer that year to expand the recreation facilities available to the children who spent their vacation at home. The youngsters pictured could not swim at all at the beginning of the season, but by the end of August they were all "at home in the water" according to Mrs. John McConnell, swimming instructor. Pictured clockwise, starting at the top center with the girl in the dark cap, are: Joyce Sheets, Jeanne Arkin, Patilou Babbitt, Margaret Ward, Laura Sheppard, Onnalee Dungan, Pat Sternberg, Ella Mae Goddell, mary Jean Harvel, Barbara Ann Combs, Carole Jenks, Virginia Gundstrom, Nancy Ann Wilhelmi and Mary Ann Norton. (TNT 8/31/1942 p.9)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

Modelling her latest formal creation on July 27, 1942, while standing on a stack of books at the YWCA, was USO Junior Hostess Dorothy Blanchfield. Lending a hand with the construction, left to right, were Carolyn Moore, (Miss Blanchfield,) Anna Mae Willman, Marian Allen and Myrl Van Den Heuvel. A USO Junior Hostess, in order to keep her permanent card and be a member in good standing, was required to attend one social function a week. The most popular functions were the dances. In order to have a wide variety of formal dresses and to keep costs down, some of the girls met weekly at the YWCA, with volunteer stylists from the department stores, to sew their own formals. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942 p.A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Sewing machines; Blanchfield, Dorothy; Moore, Carolyn; Willman, Anna Mae; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

The seventh annual spring concert of the Normanettes women's choral ensemble was given on Tuesday evening May 23, 1950 at the Tacoma Y.W.C.A. As was usual with this singing group, the performance featured both a number of Scandinavian songs, and a selection of sacred and secular compositions sung in English. The women in this photograph are wearing Scandinavian costumes with beautifully embroidered, close fitting bodices, white, long-sleeved blouses, skirts with embroidery or ribbons and aprons. They performed folk dances at Normanna Hall, possibly in conjunction with the Normanette concert. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Association, Mr. Metcalf.

Ethnic groups; Costumes--Swiss; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Normanna Hall (Tacoma);