Commemorating a Legacy: Honoring Phyllis Wheatley YWCA's Impact in Indianapolis

A cornerstone of the Indianapolis Black community, which offered safe haven to women and girls for 30 years, has been honored with a historical marker on the grounds of St. Philip's Episcopal Church.

The Phyllis Wheatley Young Women's Christian Association building, built in 1929, provided a space for the Black community to meet, attend classes, and enjoy recreation safely in a segregated city. It was across the street from St. Philip's current location.

Before the YWCA desegregated, the chapter served Black women and girls as a vital touchstone of education, fellowship, and advocacy.

"A group of prominent Black Indianapolis women began organizing a YWCA in 1914," reads the text for the state marker entitled "Phyllis Wheatley YWCA." "Under the leadership of May Belcher, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA officially organized in 1923, providing a safe space for Black women and girls. The women raised financial support from the larger community, including Black and white citizens, to dedicate a new YWCA building near here in 1929."

The institution provided recreation, classes, housing, and meeting space for the Black community, met spiritual, educational, and healthcare needs, promoted Black women's leadership, and advocated for civil and labor rights. During WWII, it welcomed Black servicewomen.

In recent years, a research team of scholars and a community historian have worked to preserve the memory of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, creating a documentary and helping to establish the historical marker.

A full list of state historical markers can be found here.

Anyone with memories or stories to tell about the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA are invited to email [email protected].