YWCA Blog - YWCA USA

Why I Marched: Reflecting on the March for Black Women & March for Racial Justice

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

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

Speaking Out In Support of the Dream Act

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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

Why We March

Friday, September 29, 2017

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

National Voter Registration Day: Why It Matters

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

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

Another Attack on Healthcare!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Senate is back at it again. After failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in July, Senators Cassidy (R-LA) and Graham (R-SC) have introduced another version of repeal and replace and are trying to move it through the Senate before the end of September! This bill is just as bad as the ones… Continue Reading Another Attack on Healthcare!

Rise Up & DREAM

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

By Faye Washington, President & CEO, YWCA Greater Los Angeles It is time to RISE: to the aid of those who need us most. It is time to say that these are OUR children. This is OUR citizenry. Because at the very core of our American legal and civil society is the belief in freedom from oppression… Continue Reading Rise Up & DREAM

Child Care and Development Block Grant: Crucial for working families

Monday, September 11, 2017

By Kathy Westra with Cindy Hoffman, VP of Marketing and Communications, YWCA USA Congress has been deep in budget work for fiscal year 2018 since early spring. YWCAs across the country rely on federal funding to support local communities in our important work to empower women and eliminate racism. Magdeline (Maggie) Jensen, CEO of YWCA… Continue Reading Child Care and Development Block Grant: Crucial for working families

Showing Up Against Hate: Why YWCA Boston Marched

Thursday, August 31, 2017

By Beth Chandler, YWCA Boston Chief Operating Officer Saturday, August 12, 2017, the unspeakable happened as white supremacists and Neo-Nazis organized around hate and perpetrated violence in Charlottesville, VA. At least 19 counter-protestors were injured, and one, Heather Heyer, was killed. Shortly after we learned about the violence in Charlottesville, news spread of a “Free Speech” rally… Continue Reading Showing Up Against Hate: Why YWCA Boston Marched

Afrodescendientes: Honoring Our Intersections

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

By Alicia Sanchez Gill with Luz Maria Marquez Benbow and Lori Robinson This piece was adapted from an op-ed originally published in NBC BLK. People worldwide know and recognize March 8th as International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women and girls, to inspire and remind them of their power and capabilities, and to raise awareness of… Continue Reading Afrodescendientes: Honoring Our Intersections

Joy Hashimoto, A Woman Unafraid

Thursday, July 20, 2017

We are saddened by the passing of Joy T. Hashimoto (1927-2017), a YWCA leader and an inspiration. Born in California to Dr. George Y. and Mary Takeyama, she and her younger brother George had happy childhoods in Los Angeles, and spent summers at her grandparents’ farm. During World War II, her entire family was sent… Continue Reading Joy Hashimoto, A Woman Unafraid