Better Because of Her
Every day, women get up and do the work to take care of their families, put food on the table, advocate for reproductive freedom and pay equity, break barriers in the workplace, show up at the ballot box, and so much more.
Due to the work of women, we are all better off. It’s because of women that Roe v. Wade passed, giving all people the reproductive freedom to make fundamental decisions about whether and when to have children. It was because of women that VAWA passed, ensuring survivors have access to critical resources and support they need during some of the worst times of their lives. It’s because of women leaders, that critical legislation and social equity movements have been born to fight for justice and make the world a better place for all of us. Things are much better. They’re better because of her.
That’s why during Women’s History Month we plan to celebrate the women who made us better. We will be underscoring the tremendous accomplishments of well-known women, women changing their communities all around the globe, women active in civic engagement, young women who are making waves, and some of our beloved YWCA leaders, essential workers, and volunteers.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where we’ll be highlighting the substantial progress we’ve made because of the extraordinary women in our lives.
Join in the conversation using #BecauseOfHer, #EmpoweredWomen, and #WomensHerstoryMonth to spotlight the work of women in your community.
- Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA, who fights for financial security for people working in higher education, healthcare, and other mission-driven organizations.
- Dolores Huerta, Labor leader and civil rights activist who fought for unions and later became the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
- Winona LaDuke, Economist and internationally renowned activist known for her work fighting for tribal land claims, preservations, and funding for Native environmental groups.
- Naomi Osaka, Tennis champion proving that athleticism and personal ambition can coexist with activism and mental health.
- Shemara Wikramanayake, One of the world’s most powerful businesswomen putting her acumen to work by advocating for private capital solutions to our existential climate issues.
- Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan), Human rights activist, UN Messenger of Peace, and the youngest Novel Peace Prize laureate who is a champion in the fight for equal education for women.
- Tsai Ing-wen (Taiwan), First female President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and a member of the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party who supports women’s and LGBTQA+ rights, labor reform, and green energy.
- Michelle Bachelet, First female President of Chile, first executive director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and now the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
- Trisha Shetty (India), Activist for gender equity and the founder of SheSays, known for her human rights advocacy on quality education, youth and gender representation, and preventing sexual violence.
- Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria), Entrepreneurs and feminist leaders who created the Feminist Coalition to address women’s rights and safety, economic empowerment, and political participation of women in Nigeria.
- Betsy B. Whitney (YWCA Dayton), Former volunteer and current Board Member who has been servicing YWCA Dayton by working to empower women and eliminate racism since 1957.
- Nanci Okerlund (YWCA Jamestown), Survivor and women’s rights advocate that has been running the Transitions Housing program at YWCA Jamestown since 2001 and has facilitated housing for over 650 women and their children.
- Joanevia “Navie” Eason (YWCA Central Alabama), Senior Director of Child Development Services at YWCA Central Alabama whose work focuses on providing high quality early education to low-income children and children experiencing homelessness.
- Betzy Berganza (YWCA Metropolitan Chicago), Former volunteer and currently Director of Health and Human Services at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago known for her work in health education and outreach as well as an advocacy in the local Latinx community.
- Kenyatta Coleman Grant (YWCA Charleston), Community Organizing Coordinator at the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and member of the YWCA Charleston Racial Justice Committee who co-developed the Implicit Bias training for the YWCA Racial Equity and Inclusion program.
- Stacey Abrams, Advocate for human rights, former Georgia State Representative, and New York Time’s best-selling author whose known for her voting rights activism.
- Mazie Hirano, First female and first Asian-born immigrant Senator from Hawaii whose known for her work on abortion rights, gun control, affordable housing, voting rights, and healthcare advocacy.
- María Teresa Kumar, Political rights activist, MSNBC contributor, and President and CEO of the Latinx political organization, Voto Latino known as one of the most influential women in America.
- LaTosha Brown, Community organizer, political strategist, philanthropy consultant, and co-founder of Black Voters Matter known for her work on social justice, economic development, and civil rights.
- Virginia Kase Solomón, Social justice and civil rights activist, CEO of the League of Women Voters, as well as a Board Member of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the National Election Task Force on Election Crises.
- Mari Copeny “Little Miss Flint”, Clean water activists and the youngest Youth Ambassador at the Women’s March on Washington.
- Lynae Vanee, Poet, NAACP Image Award Nominee, social media influencer, and activist known for her social justice advocacy.
- Marley Dias, Activist, literary advocate, writer, and Founder of the #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign.
- Blair Imani, Author, educator, and influencer known for her activism in the Black Lives Matter Movement and defending Planned Parenthood.
- Nupol Kiazolu, Activist, community organizer, and founder of We Protect Us, known to advocate on civil rights, domestic and sexual violence, as well as homelessness.