CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — "It's fun to stay at the YMCA" -- especially at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA -- on the 50-year anniversary of accepting women as members.
Members gathered at the facility Thursday along Haynes Street to celebrate the milestone in the decades-long fight for women's equality.
It was baby steps for women. That was huge, I thought. That was a big accomplishment. It made me feel really good."Kathi Howrylak of Johnstown was one of the first women to become a member of the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA back in 1973.
50 years later, she attended the celebrations and reflected on the day she helped make history in Johnstown.
"That's me. In 1973, I would have been 19 years old," Kathi said pointing to the photo of herself in the original newspaper announcement.
Kathi says she always made her way into male-dominated fields, riding motorcycles while working as a firefighter and EMT.
She found her love for Judo classes at the YMCA right alongside the men, even fighting against them.
"The men were very accepting, which surprised me, because back then, they didn't do that," she told 6 News.
Now, over half of the members at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA are women, also making up their staff and volunteers.
Board President Cindy Kunkle says, over the 50-year period, women have come so far at the Y.
"It's the one organization that you can come to at any age, no matter your gender, no matter your background, and there's something here for everyone," she said.
At the event Thursday, organizers raffled off prizes on the "50" of each hour and gave out some sweet treats to visitors.
From full time jobs to full time moms, these women put the "wonder" in Wonder Women.
"I just encourage women everywhere to do whatever they feel they want to do. They sky is the limit," Kathi told 6 News.
Click here to follow the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA on their Facebook Page.
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