Sarah S. Lyon was part of a new generation of women activists hired by Akron’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) to bring needed services to women in the city.
Little is known about Lyon before she came to the city – or after she left it. She was hired by the Akron YWCA in 1907 as its industrial secretary with the responsibility of strengthening the ties between the association and the working women in the city. According to a 1908/1909 report, she concentrated on the factory women, visiting the city’s factories every noon hour to announce YWCA-sponsored classes and socials.
By 1910, Lyon had been promoted to general secretary, responsible for all YWCA programs in the city. This was a time tremendous vitality and energy at the YWCA. In 1911, seeing a need for “some sort of college women’s association,” she worked through the YWCA’s student committee to organize the College Women’s Club in 1911. She held a tea for college women on Sept. 22 and one month later, on Oct. 22, the first meeting of the College Club of Akron was held. This organization outlived Lyon’s tenure with the YWCA.
In 1917 Lyon left the YWCA; she was replaced by Edith Nash.
When she lived in Akron, Lyon roomed with the Sylvanus E. Phinney family at 193 Merriman Road.
Photo courtesy of The University of Akron Archives.
–Janelle Baltputnis