Every year on 8 December, the Y’s Men International family pauses to remember, celebrate, and draw inspiration from the life of Judge Paul William Alexander, the found of Y’s Men International, born on this day in 1888. His vision, character, and pioneering spirit continue to illuminate our path more than a century after the movement began. Founder’s Day is not only a tribute to him but a reaffirmation of who we are and why we exist.
Judge Alexander believed that ordinary people, united in fellowship, could achieve extraordinary good in the world. When he and a small band of committed volunteers of YMCA helped form the early Y’s Men’s movement in the early 1920s, they could not have imagined how far their dream would reach. From the first club in Toledo, Ohio, the movement quickly embraced Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, and beyond, becoming a global fellowship committed to service, friendship, and meaningful partnership with the YMCA.
This rich heritage – built by visionary leaders, passionate volunteers, and countless members – reminds us that YMI has always been more than an organisation. It is a mission-driven community, guided by compassion and grounded in the timeless values of love, sacrifice, and service. It is a fellowship that crosses borders, transcends differences, and brings people together for a common purpose: to make an enduring and positive difference in the world.
As we observe Founder’s Day, we honour Judge Alexander not only for establishing our association but also for gifting us a philosophy of life anchored in responsibility – “to acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right.” Today, as YMI advances confidently toward its second century with Strategy 2032, we carry forward this same spirit: strengthening fellowship, empowering leaders, nurturing inclusive communities, and creating real impact in health, education, and the environment. Founder’s Day is therefore more than remembrance. It is a call—a call to deepen our commitment, to rekindle our passion, and to continue shaping a world where hope replaces despair and service replaces indifference. Let us celebrate with pride the legacy we have inherited and move forward with determination, ensuring that the light Judge Alexander lit in 1922 continues to shine brightly through us.
...To be a Y’s Man has never been predicated upon what a man believes, but upon what he does…The virtue of unselfish service which we insist shall be the hallmark of the Y’s Man is an exemplification of love for one’s fellow man… – PWA, 1951
Happy Founder’s Day to all YMI members around the world. May our shared mission continue to inspire, uplift, and transform lives – today and always.