Young Women Remember
Young Women Remember
Young Women Remember is a research project that aims to collect, record and share the stories of support, connection and activism linked to our organisation over the past 100 years.
The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Introduction from our CEO, Jenni Snell
I am delighted to welcome you to the Young Women Remember Archive. 
Young Women Remember is an incredibly special and timely project that came about as part of our 100-year anniversary in 2024. Since then, young women have volunteered as peer researchers to delve into our rich history as an organisation and bring you the tales of the women who shaped who we are today.  
Their work has culminated in this archive, bringing together memories and materials that showcase how women came together to grow in confidence, build communities of friendship and reimagine futures across generations. 
Within the archive you will find: 
- Stories, shared through oral history interviews and written accounts from women involved in the movement. 
- Archival materials from the National Library of Scotland, including documents and objects that bring this history to life. 
- Research reports and resources developed through the Young Women Remember project. 
- Behind the scenes reflections from our peer researchers, sharing their personal experiences of being part of this work. 
This is a living archive; it is both our history and our legacy. We are committed to continuing to capture young women’s voices and perspectives as our movement grows, ensuring that their experiences of today are recognised as vital history for the future. By learning from the past, we strengthen our collective ability to shape a better world.  
I invite you to spend time with the voices and experiences shared here. Listen, learn and feel the strength that runs through our movement. This history lives on through you. We hope these stories inspire you to carry their lessons forward and create your own story of resistance and change. 
Jenni Snell  
CEO  
Featured images
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“Dolls of the Nation” exhibition, Edinburgh, 1955.
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“Dolls of the Nation” exhibition, Edinburgh, 1955.
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“Dolls of the Nation” exhibition, Edinburgh, 1955.
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“Dolls of the Nation” exhibition, Edinburgh, 1955.
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YWCA hostel locations
Young Women Remember steering group
Young Women Remember intervieweees
A note from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
We’re collecting stories from our 100 year history.
If you, or someone you know, worked, volunteered or took part in activities with the YWCA in Scotland at any point since 1924, we’d love to hear all about it. This could have been at a member centre, hostel or other community location.
The stories will help to inspire current and future generations of young women, and support our work to make Scotland a fairer place for young women and girls.
We’ll collect all of the stories into a digital archive so that our shared history lives on.
If you can share a story with us, please fill out the form below. Alternatively, you can get in touch with Lauren, our Heritage Research Coordinator, via email. We’ll get back in touch to arrange a short call or in person meeting at a time that suits you.