In 2002, the YWCA announced the closing of its downtown Seattle warm-water swimming pool and fitness center to save money on upkeep and to make space for new human services programs. The decision was protested by frequent users, including many older women who relied on the relatively low-cost facilities to stay fit, rehabilitate from illness and surgery, and manage pain. The women picketed the building and wrote letters to delay the planned closure, but the facilities closed on schedule, on December 20.
In this image, Harriet Thompson, 71, pickets at the pool entrance on Fifth Avenue, trying to drum up support to keep the facility open. She had been using the pool and fitness room for five years.
Caption information source: "Plan to close YWCA's downtown pool stirs up a storm: Active seniors want to stay in the swim," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 14, 2002, pages A1 and A11.
Additional Information: Metadata created as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.20021213.CD02.01.003, photograph by Paul Kitagaki
