By Caitlin Lowry, Senior Policy Analyst, YWCA USA Five years ago, I became the victim of a stalker who sent thousands of harassing and threatening messages to my email and across several online platforms. I spent countless hours talking to police, prosecutors, domestic violence advocates, my state delegate, therapists, and doctors; attending court proceedings; and… Continue Reading Refusing Silence
By Lily Eisner, YWCA USA Public Policy & Advocacy Intern, Summer 2017 One day last spring, vandals scrawled messages threatening sexual violence in common areas and stole several pairs of women’s underwear from laundry rooms in a sorority at my school, Dartmouth College. The horrific message shook the entire student body. Copycat messages and thefts began appearing… Continue Reading Taking Campus Sexual Assault Seriously—Always
By Sharon K. Roberson, President & CEO YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee A few months ago, Maria had one arm in a sling, while the other carried her infant baby. The beating from her husband had put her in the hospital, and now that she was being discharged, she couldn’t go home. She had someone… Continue Reading In Our Community: Collaborating to End Domestic Violence
At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why for more than 20 years, we have set aside the third week in October as a Week Without Violence to raise awareness around ending violence against women and girls with the World… Continue Reading Take Action: Call on Congress to Work to End Gender-Based Violence
The numbers are staggering. We all already know this. One in four women will become a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. Every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted. One in three women experience gender-based violence. It is long past time that we change this — and you can help create a culture where gender-based violence… Continue Reading Week Without Violence: Join Us
Last Saturday, YWCA USA was proud to be a sponsor of the March for Black Women and the March for Racial Justice. As our CEO, Alejandra Castillo said in her blog last week, “when women of color lead change, everyone is elevated with us.” This was certainly on display last weekend as thousands of black… Continue Reading Showing Up for Black Women
By Sequoia Smith, YWCA USA Public Policy & Advocacy Intern Thousands of people from across the nation from different races, religions, and genders marched for racial justice and Black women this past Saturday. We marched to demand justice for all the Black girls who fell through the cracks of America’s broken education system, we marched… Continue Reading Why I Marched: Reflecting on the March for Black Women & March for Racial Justice
Today, on October 3rd, YWCA USA stood with our partners on Capitol Hill to call on Congress to act immediately to protect the more than 800,000 DREAMers who have received DACA protection, and some 200,000 “little DREAMers” who have been waiting to turn 15 to meet DACA’s age requirements. YWCA USA Field Engagement Manager Samantha… Continue Reading Speaking Out In Support of the Dream Act
By Alejandra Y. Castillo, YWCA USA CEO This Saturday, thousands will gather for the March for Racial Justice and the March for Black Women, two marches converging into one to fight for racial equity, to denounce state violence and dismantle all forms of white supremacy. At YWCA, we are committed to eliminating racism by any means necessary and… Continue Reading Why We March
By Samantha Davis, Field Engagement Manager, YWCA USA Voting has always been a memorable experience for me. When I was growing up in Pittsburgh, before I was old enough to cast my own ballot, I’d join my Nana in the voting booth. Later, when I grew up, I celebrated the announcement of the first Black… Continue Reading National Voter Registration Day: Why It Matters