
The YWCA of Trivandrum , one of the pioneering institutions in the country dedicated to the care and welfare of women and girls was formed. On 16 th August 1917 an extra ordinary meeting of some Christian ladies in Trivandrum was held at the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall with Mrs Arthur Parker in the Chair. Ninety six members enrolled then and there. Miss Nina Brentnall took charge as the first General Secretary. Some of the members in the first committee were Mrs Victoria Mathew, Mrs K K Chacko, Miss Mary Isaac, Miss Cumberland, Mrs Bain and Miss Padmam.
A Hostel for lady students was started in a rented house in Kunnukuzhy.

Land at the present site at Spencer Junction was purchased with funds from the National YWCA of India, Burma and Ceylon and with money raised by Miss Brentnall form Australia and New Zealand. The ruler of Travancore, the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi gave some land adjacent to the property at Spencer Junction to the YWCA.

The Students’ Hostel was opened by Her Highness Lady Irwin, wife of the Viceroy of India. The imposing hostel building is a standing tribute to Miss Brentnall’s tireless energy and selfless service. The hostel dating back to 1929 still houses our student residents !

Dr Mrs Mary Poonen Lukose takes charge as the first Indian President of the YWCA of Trivandrum.

Hostel for Non-gazetted working women – At the request of the Government, the Annex was started in a rented building.

The YWCA of Trivandrum was registered under the Charitable Society Act. School and Play Centre at Jagathy
A Maternity and Child Welfare centre was started in a slum area in Kunnukuzhy. This Centre developed into the Creche and Nursery school and was shifted to the Annex Hostel premises at the General Hospital Junction. Rural Development Centre, Peroorkada.

Golden Jubilee Year
The Creche and Nursery started receiving grant from the Social Welfare Board. It was recognised as a training centre for Nursery school teachers.
A multi- storied building which houses the International Guest House ‘The Abode’ was built.
The Rural development Centre at Peroorkada was shifted to Vazhayila. The Nursery School and Creche were relocated at Vazhayila. Tailoring classes were also started.
A Girls’ Home, giving shelter to girls from the age of five from single-parent families was started at Vazhyila.

The Annex gets renamed as the Working Women’s Hostel and a new three storeyed building was built at General Hospital Jn.

The Hostel for Senior Women was built at the premises at Spencer Jn. This Hostel which offers a safe dwelling place for women after retirement is Trivandrum YWCA’s response to the need of the hour. Admissions are open
