Blogs

September 22, 2017

We are pleased to share the following YWCA USA updates:

• Week Without Violence: October 16 - 20
• Don't forget to take advantage of the Week Without Violence online store. Orders placed by Monday, September 25 are guaranteed to be delivered by Tuesday, October 10. Place your orders now!
• Save the date! As part of Week Without Violence, we will host a #WWV17 Twitter chat on Thursday, October 19, at 3:00 p.m. ET, that focuses on racial justice approaches to ending gender-based violence. We'll share more information about the Twitter chat in the coming weeks, but for now – mark your calendars, and encourage your networks, friends, and clients to do the same!
• Register your events now to access a robust digital toolkit and help track our national impact. New this year, we are encouraging YWCAs to engage your partners in a similar structure to Stand Against Racism. Expand your local presence by also having your partners host events and register to access toolkit materials.
• Want to blog with us for this year's Week Without Violence? We'd love to showcase your stories and perspectives! Any pieces related to our theme of ending gender-based violence are welcome – for example, you can write about impactful programs in your community that are working to help survivors; Title IX and campus sexual assaults; teen dating violence and programs to address it; and more. Send us your submissions!
• Don't miss the orientation webinar on Thursday, September 28 at 2 p.m. ET.

Geo-Network Meetings

The Western Network will meet at the Mayflower Hotel in Seattle from October 31 – November 1, 2017. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31 and end with a reception including YWCA USA board of directors from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1. The Registration deadline for the meeting is October 13 and the deadline for the hotel is October 10. Questions? Contact Rita Ryder, director of member services.

National Voter Registration Day

September 26 is National Voter Registration Day (NVRD)! We are excited to see so many YWCAs partnering with NVRD this year. Get out the vote efforts, including registration, are an imperative tactic to eliminating racism and empowering women, especially at the local level. Sign up now!

Let's March

Last week, we announced our support for the March for Black Women and March for Racial Justice scheduled for September 30 in Washington, D.C. We are pleased to see that so many YWCAs are already involved. Please let us know if your association will attend a march locally or here in Washington, D.C. by completing this simple form. Even if you can't march, you can support this movement through social media, signing up as a supporter, or writing a statement of solidarity. For some inspiration, read all about our activist history on the Smith College archive blog.

In Case You Missed It

• Those who were not able to join us on Monday for Alejandra's welcome webinar can now view it on the Intranet.
• Faye Washington, president & CEO of YWCA Greater Los Angeles, wrote this excellent blog in support of DACA and Dreamers. Don't forget to continue taking action this week.
• Check out this YWCA USA blog about the Graham-Cassidy bill, the latest attempt to repeal the ACA.
• You also may be interested in two new blogs from World YWCA: Self-Affirmation Journey and Ending Child Marriage and Supporting Married Girls.

Important Dates

• September 27, 3 p.m. ET: Monthly Policy Update webinar
• September 28 at 2 p.m. ET: Week Without Violence orientation webinar
• October 16 – 20: 2017 Week Without Violence
• YWCA 101, an introductory webinar to the YWCA USA, will be offered on October 24, and November 28. Register your staff, volunteers and board.

Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.