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Helen Jackson Claytor
Seven Women Who Made a Difference

Helen J. Claytor was born and educated In Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father was a Pullman porter, who had read law while traveling all over the country on the train. Although he consequently was admitted to law practice in South Dakota, he decided to settle his family in Minneapolis. In his travels he had learned that this city was the best place for his children to receive a good education by attending the University of Minnesota while still living at home.

Helen Claytor graduated Cum Laude and Phi Bera Kappa in 1928 with a degree in teaching. However, jobs were scarce to non-existent for black teachers so she accepted a job with the YWCA in Trenton, New Jersey and later in Kansas City. This began a career and life-time commitment that has extended over six decades.

One of her first assignments was to conduct a nationwide study on race relations for the National Board of Directors. This assignment led to travel throughout the country speaking and conducting workshops on this subject. These travels brought her to Grand Rapids in 1943, at which time she met Dr. Robert Claytor. Following her marriage to Dr. Claytor, she was elected President of the Grand Rapids YWCA, the first black woman to serve in this capacity. In 1967 she was elected to the National Board of Directors and served as the President until 1973, when she retired. She currently holds the title of Honorary Member of the Board. Helen Claytor also served on the World Council of the YWCA, which extended her travels all over the world.

As President of the National Board, Helen Claytor took a leading role in drafting the YWCA Purpose in 1967, which she regards as a major accomplishment of her career. Under her leadership, all groups within the YWCA coalesced around one imperative - "the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary." This imperative has been renewed at every convention since then.

After the racial problems that swept the country in the late forties, Helen Claytor was appointed to a committee for the city of Grand Rapids to study racial problems in the city. After months of hard work this committee gave its report to a skeptical City Commission. The facts and statistics contained in this report startled the Commission and the community with the result being the formation of the first Human Relations Commission. This commission has evo1ved into the Office of Equal Opportunity, an integral part of the City government.

Today Helen Claytor continues her activities for the YWCA and for her church and community. Her life and leadership have been an inspiration to women of all ages and races. Grand Rapids is fortunate to call her our own.

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