Honoring the Power of Sisterhood in Leadership this Women’s History Month

By Margaret Mitchell, CEO 
YWCA USA 

There is something distinctive about the sisterhood formed through YWCA leadership. It is not simply professional networking, nor is it limited to shared mission language. It is a lived relationship built through service, accountability, and a deep unwavering commitment to women, families, and communities. Over time, that connection becomes both anchor and compass. I have come to value these friendships not just as a source of encouragement, but as a critical force in my own growth as a leader.

Prior to my tenure as CEO of YWCA USA, I was the President and CEO of a Local Association. By the time I approached my tenth anniversary there, I had experienced the full spectrum of leadership realities: financial highs and lows, complicated partnerships, reputational challenges, and the constant balancing act between mission ambition and operational sustainability. I had learned resilience, but I had also developed strong opinions about how things should be done. Success can quietly harden assumptions.

Around that time, a new CEO joined our state cohort, a group of Local Association leaders who collaborated regularly on statewide advocacy. She was impressive from the start — sharp, thoughtful, and moving quickly to understand the landscape. I initially assumed she might be a short-term presence, someone passing through rather than deeply invested. In hindsight, that assumption says more about my own mindset at the time than it does about her.

One of our biggest strategic questions centered on state advocacy. Only two Associations in the state had hired lobbyists independently, and I was one of them. When the State Association finally agreed to hire a single lobbyist collectively, the stakes were high—state funding, policy outcomes, and our credibility in the legislature would all be shaped by the firm we selected. I strongly advocated for retaining the firm that had been representing my YWCA. They were aggressive, politically aligned with the legislative majority, and we had seen tangible results. From my vantage point, the case seemed clear.

My colleague disagreed, shall I say, firmly, thoughtfully, and persistently. In fact, she was the only voice strongly opposing my recommendation, but her reasoning carried weight. When we spoke after that meeting, she walked me through her concerns. She brought validity and a broader view I hadn’t considered. Her perspective didn’t just challenge me; it ultimately reshaped the RFP process. Together, the group selected a firm, and not my preferred one.

The outcome was positive. We secured state funding that benefited each Association and strengthened services to the communities we serve. At the time, I appreciated her professional insight. What I did not yet fully grasp was how much that decision would matter personally.

The following spring, my phone began ringing repeatedly during a packed day of meetings. I saw messages from my former lobbyist’s office but kept pushing the calls aside, planning to respond later. When the third round came in, curiosity won. I answered. The young advisor I worked closely with told me their office had just been raided by the FBI.

I remember the moment vividly … the stillness, the disbelief, the immediate realization of how serious the situation could become. After hanging up, I called my colleague, the same one who had opposed hiring that firm. She was a former registered lobbyist, and I needed clarity quickly.

What happened next is the essence of sisterhood in action. Calmly and decisively, she walked me through immediate steps I needed to take: terminate the agreement formally, prepare communications in case media inquiries surfaced, and provide my Board Chair with clear talking points. Within an hour, draft language and guidance were in my inbox. There was no judgment, no “I told you so,” only support and guidance.

By the end of that day, the investigation widened. Other political figures and major corporate players were implicated. It did not end well for that firm. I often reflect on how differently things might have unfolded had we followed my original recommendation.

She went on to serve five impactful years as CEO before moving into a new chapter that still includes advising and supporting Local YWCAs nationwide. Her influence continues far beyond any single role.

For me, that experience reshaped how I understand leadership and community. Sisterhood is not about agreement or similarity. It is about integrity, mutual accountability, and candor delivered with respect. It is standing with one another, especially when the stakes are high, so the mission remains strong.

I remain deeply grateful for that moment, for her leadership, and for the broader sisterhood that continues to shape me. Growth often arrives through challenges, but it is sustained through relationships. That is one of the greatest gifts the YWCA movement offers.