A Target of Conservatives' Ire, Y.W.C.A. Chief Is Dismissed

[True_Blue]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 — The feminist leader Patricia Ireland has been dismissed as chief executive of the Y.W.C.A. less than six months after she was hired to head it.

Ms. Ireland was notified of the decision on Thursday in New York, where she was attending a conference. She said in an interview on Monday that members of the national coordinating board of the Y.W.C.A. had asked for her resignation, but she declined because she did not want to give the impression that she had "jumped ship."

"I was uncharacteristically speechless," Ms. Ireland said. "There had been no notice."

Her dismissal was first reported in this week's issue of Newsweek.

The Y.W.C.A.'s appointment of Ms. Ireland last May was strongly criticized by some conservative groups, which said her background made her unfit to run an organization historically associated with traditional Christian values.
more....
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/21/national/21YWCA.html

[flamingyouth]

1. Pathetic

Not unsurprising, but really, really sad. Sure makes me never want to support the YWCA's shelter here, which is also sad in itself. I expect there to be some backlash from this (at least I hope so).

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. What is the secular equivalent to the Y.W.C.A.?

I was just wondering what was meant when the article said that Ireland was interested in advocacy, while the Y.W.C.A. had other priorities. There's quite a bit the article doesn't cover.

There's no doubt that they're trying to punish Ireland. More proof that the N.O.W. base needs to broaden, or forever be defined by Christian vindictive zealots.

[baldguy]

3. You mean you don't have a local YMACA?

the Young Men's Anti-Christian Assoc is very big in Europe. I saw it on a BBC program: "A Cycling Tour of North Cornwall"

[kayell]

4. Oh yes, the YMACA

Corner of Anti-Semitic Street and Pogrom Square isn't it?

[demdave]

5. While I think you are joking, I just wanted to point out.....

It is possible to be secular without being anti-christian. I think our party is being defined by what we are against and not what we are for. A group called "Young Men's Anti-Christian Assoc" would only support this view.

[kayell]

6. It's from a Monty Python skit

relax

[demdave]

8. Like I said...I thought it was a joke....I was just making a point.

:)

[bobbieinok]

7. I don't understand this caving in on the part of the national Y

When I was a member and on the board of a local YWCA in IA (the 70s), it was pretty clear that most of today's YWCA activities, discussion groups, etc., are quite far from the religious right mind set....and many members/participants do NOT constantly check themselves to see if they are being 'christian.'

It was pretty well accepted that the Y had moved quite far from its original 19th century 'christian' mission.

When we interviewed and hired for the position of director, etc., we NEVER, EVER asked about candidate's religious belief/commitment.

I believe we had atheists, agnostics, Jews, whatever, on the board; no one EVER asked.

The primary purpose of today's Y is (was?????) THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN.