Fact: The world is a better place because of women. Due to the contributions of women who have acted as trailblazers and advocated for change, we are now living in an era of self-definition — and collective engagement. We’re in an era of empowering agency — and societal responsibility. And we’re in an era of… Continue Reading Better Because of Her: Empowered Women Making Change
At YWCA, our mission is inspired by the perspectives of Black feminists who have consistently transformed the fights for gender equity and racial justice. During Black Herstory Month, we’re celebrating Black feminism and centering the work of powerful Black sheroes past and present doing the critical work to eliminate racism and empower women. As leaders… Continue Reading The Unsung Legacy of Black Feminism: From Jane Crow to Intersectionality
Did you know that until 1993, high school level girls’ athletes were only allowed to play half-court basketball? At the time, the half-court version of the game was widely considered more ‘appropriate for the delicate nature of girls’. These days biases against female athletes occur less often and questions about strength and whether they look… Continue Reading YWCA Celebrates a Legacy of Girls & Women in Sports
Today, as we honor the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the American Civil Rights Movement, we cannot uplift his legacy without recognizing the work of the countless people who came before, during, and after his time who also demanded that America keep its promise of freedom, justice, and dignity for all. Almost… Continue Reading Honoring Martin Luther King Jr’s Legacy: No Celebration Without Legislation
This year, and for the first time ever, the YWCA Women’s Empowerment 360° (YW WE360°) program hosted not one, but three pitch competitions to allow women entrepreneurs from across the YWCA network a chance to compete for funding to support their growing businesses. Back in July, YWCA hosted our first ever YWomen Start It Up virtual pitch… Continue Reading YWCA Uplifts WOC Entrepreneurs at Recent Pitch Competitions
Today is Giving Tuesday, it’s a day the world has decided to give together. We’ve set a big goal for today, and hope to raise $250,000 to support women, girls, and people of color in the communities we serve across the nation. This year, our #GivingTuesday campaign theme is Give To Her or #GiveToHerTuesday, because… Continue Reading Giving Tuesday: Helping Women and Girls Become Equal, Powerful, & Unstoppable!
In response to the not guilty verdict in trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, a vigilante who murdered peaceful protestors who attended a Black Lives Matter protest in August 2020 that took place after a white Kenosha police officer shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake, YWCA Interim CEO and COO Elisha Rhodes has issued the following statement: YWCA is… Continue Reading YWCA Statement on the Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse
Content Warning: This story includes depictions of domestic abuse and gender-based violence that may not be suitable for all audiences. By Merry Lee Olson, CEO YWCA Bilings YWCA Billings’ domestic and sexual violence services are the only ones addressing needs for survivors and victims of violence in a vast region of Montana that includes Big Horn… Continue Reading YWCA Billings Opens Domestic Violence Shelter to Serve the Crow and Northern Cheyenne American Indian Reservations
Content Warning: This story includes depictions of domestic abuse and gender-based violence that may not be suitable for all audiences. On the day “Maria” fled from her abusive husband, he had threatened to cut her up into a million pieces and throw her in the ocean. Since Maria was an undocumented immigrant, he told her, “you… Continue Reading A Survivor’s Journey from Surviving to Thriving
In conjunction with the back-to-school season, during September we observe National Campus Safety Awareness Month to encourage conversations about awareness and prevention of violence at colleges and universities across the country. On average, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime and 1 in 5 women are… Continue Reading YWCA Works to Prevent Violence on College Campuses during Back-to-School Season