Welcome

Join us on a journey of discovery… of pride in service and a shared determination to recognize the courage, strength and beauty of our women in uniform and the veterans who came before them. The YWCA’s past, present and future share a commitment to helping women in the armed forces to overcome serious and unique challenges.

The YWCA honors these women, and we welcome you to join the chorus. We plan to share their stories with the megaphone they deserve – the more we know, the more we can celebrate victories and overcome obstacles to the success these sheroes deserve once they come home.

Message from the Interim YWCA CEO Gloria Lau

The President and First Lady challenged us to support our troops, and the YWCA is answering that call. Women in the military and women veterans are our sheroes. They are serving in harm’s way, making sacrifices every day … many are leaving young children behind.

The sad truth is that they don't get a sheroe's treatment. While serving, they are more likely to suffer sexual abuse and less likely to report it. When they return, they are more likely than non-veterans to face homelessness, unemployment and poverty. Many seek the services of a YWCA in their own community.

We’ve launched an online campaign to recognize these women, and ask for your support. Yesterday’s YWCA fought to have women admitted to the armed forces during the First World War – it didn’t happen, although 30,000 served without recognition.

When hundreds of YWCA staff and volunteers gathered in Washington DC to lobby our lawmakers on behalf of women and children, our potential for collective impact became abundantly clear to me. Together, we can help our women in the military. After all, they’ve committed some of the most precious years of their lives to protecting us.

Gloria Lau
Interim CEO

See  joiningforces.gov for more information about the White House’s support for the military.