Christian Groups Oppose New YWCA Leader

Several conservative advocacy organizations have started a publicity campaign aimed at ousting Patricia Ireland from her new position as chief executive officer of YWCA of the USA because of her ties to abortion rights and gay causes. The organizations are encouraging United Ways and individual donors to withhold support for the YWCA and its 313 local affiliates.

The YWCA of the USA, in Washington, hired Ms. Ireland last month and asked her to reinvigorate the group's advocacy work and to focus on two priorities: ending racism and helping poor women.

The American Family Association, the Traditional Values Coalition, and other socially conservative organizations have protested Ms. Ireland's hiring, in part, because she spent 10 years as president of the National Organization for Women.

"Lesbianism, cross-dressing, and abortion are all part of Ireland's history. It will soon become YWCA's present," said Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of the American Family Association, in a message e-mailed to its members encouraging them not to support the YWCA or give donations to local branches via United Ways.

While it remains too early to tell what effect the campaign may have on the organization's fund raising, at least one local YWCA has come out publicly against Ms. Ireland's appointment to assuage supporters' concerns.

"Our YWCA does not approve of this hiring," said Linda Eaves, executive director of the YWCA of Abilene, in Texas. Ms. Eaves wrote a letter, which appeared in the Abilene News Reporter, detailing her organization's opposition to Ms. Ireland and explaining that donations to local YWCA's do not pay her salary. (The Y's national headquarters raises its own funds.)

Ms. Eaves said she wrote the letter, in part, to alleviate concerns of two major donors -- the United Way of Abilene and the Dodge Jones Foundation, in Abilene.

One other local YWCA has publicly protested the national office's decision, Ms. Ireland said in an interview, though she declined to name the affiliate.

She also estimated that eight others have expressed concerns privately. Ms. Ireland said she is personally calling all concerned affiliates, donors, and other supporters to respond to worries about her goals.

"My mission is the YWCA's mission," she said. "It's not the National Organization for Women's mission."