YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Mayor Dickens and Atlanta Leaders Celebrate 100th Anniversary of E.A. Ware Elementary School
Organization announces opening of Ruth Hall Hodges Art Gallery at “Century of Impact” event
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta hosted a “Century of Impact” on Thursday, Oct. 5 to celebrate a rich legacy of education and community. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other leaders from metro Atlanta joined together at the YMCA Leadership and Learning Center to honor the 100th anniversary of E.A. Ware Elementary School, one of the first elementary schools for African American children in Atlanta.
Named after Edmund Asa (“E.A.”) Ware, an educator and the first president of Atlanta University, the E.A. Ware Elementary School was located where the Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center and the YMCA Leadership and Learning Center now stands. The school first opened its doors to students in 1923 and exactly 100 years later, the Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center, located at the YMCA Leadership & Learning Center, provides high-quality early learning education at no cost to the Westside Atlanta community.
During the event, attendees learned about the Y’s variety of programs, including early learning, youth achievement and health equity, and honored the organization’s collective commitment to advancing education and economic mobility for all people. The Y’s event also served as the inaugural opening of The Ruth Hall Hodges Art Gallery, a tribute to the art educator and visionary who taught on the elementary school site. The gallery, located inside on the first floor of the building, honors her vision by featuring art by local historically Black college and university (HBCU) students.
“The Y is committed to continuing to be a catalyst for education and positive youth development and is honored to use this historic site to champion learning,” said Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “With help from community leaders, partners and friends, we are able to continue our legacy while inspiring a bright future to positively impact students.”
For more information about the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and its early learning programs, please visit https://ymcaatlanta.org/learning/early-learning.
Photography by Kat Goduco Photo