MANY TALENTED, HARD-WORKING PROFESSIONALS OVER THE PAST 160 YEARS HAVE MADE THE YMCA MOVEMENT WHAT IT IS TODAY

These YMCA leaders who were visionaries and pioneers, touched the lives of millions – often quietly, and without any award or acclaim during their lifetimes. The YMCA Hall of Fame, established on the Springfield College campus in January 1985, provides an institution to honor these YMCA professionals.

Over 100 people have been inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame since its inception. These fine men and women personify what is best about the YMCA, having devoted their lives to building a community where individuals can develop to their fullest potential in Spirit, Mind and Body.

YMCA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES FOR THE CLASS OF 2010

STAFF INDUCTEES

ELLEN BROWN (1843-1922)

In the late 1870’s, as boys work was beginning to take hold in the YMCA, city YMCAs began to develop boys work departments. These were typically outgrowths of other programs. A notable example was the YMCA in Buffalo, New York, where Ellen Brown, an instructor in the State Normal School, taught a class of boys at the YMCA night school. The class grew so rapidly that in 1886 it became a department of the YMCA with Miss Brown as the first employed Boys Work Secretary in the YMCA Movement. She continued in that job until 1903. In addition to being the first Boys Work Secretary, Ellen Brown has the distinction of being the first female professional employee of a YMCA.