Blogs

February 1, 2018

We are pleased to provide the following updates:

YWCA USA Honors and Celebrates Black History Month

Throughout history, YWCA has been the vanguard of social change for racial equity. YWCA leaders have played important roles in the civil rights movement, creating policy and social change and being at the center of major historic events, like the March on Washington and the declaration of the YWCA’s One Imperative. These efforts created the foundation for our racial justice work today. This Black History month, and every month celebrate black leaders, especially Black women thought out the country and the world who have shaped our history and changing our future.

It’s here! Check out our *NEW* Policy and Advocacy Web Page!

We’ve redesigned the Policy and Advocacy section of our website with you in mind. We’ve simplified the content and layout of the design to place our 2019-2020 biennial advocacy agenda front and center in an easy to navigate menu. New and updated resources will be added periodically, and existing resources will remain available in an easy-to-access Resources Page. Explore the new pages to learn more about our new policy issues and legislative priorities, as well as to take action on pressing advocacy concerns.

We Need a Long-Term Solution: Federal Shutdown Watch

• YWCAs around the country are in recovery from the longest Federal Government Shutdown in United States history. Join YWCA USA in calling for the long-term solution women, children, and families need and deserve.
• YWCA USA wants to support you. Here are two actions you can take NOW:
  • Contact your Senators today and urge them to ensure there is no break in VAWA funding to organizations serving survivors of violence by putting pressure on leadership to come to a long-term solution to fund the federal government.
  • Watch our Public Policy Update Webinar, held on WEDNESDAY January 30 to learn more about how your sister YWCAs weathered the shutdown.

Girls' Ultimate Movement:

Check out a NEW and FREE opportunity for girls to engage in sports and build leadership skills! USA Ultimate, the governing body for the sport Ultimate Frisbee in the United States, offers The Girls’ Ultimate Movement (GUM). GUM is a community-wide outreach program which provides resources, equipment, and support to girl’s ultimate leagues, clinics, and naissant teams. Find out about events you can join, discover resources to run your own clinic or league, and apply for a GUM kit, which includes a clinic guide and all the equipment needed to start playing today! To learn more about GUM and find out how to bring Ultimate to your community, you can email Sarah Powers, the USA Ultimate Youth Education Programs Coordinator, at sarah@hq.usaultimate.org.

Thank You for Joining the 2019 Women’s March!

Thank you to those who participated in last week’s Women’s March to stand in solidarity with all women and to amplify the call for vital policy changes. In case you missed it read our Women’s March retrospective on the YWCA USA blog. Also, check out YWCA USA and YWCA National Capital Area participation at the 2019 march here.

World YWCA Update

On Friday, January 25 YWCA USA was notified of the a change in leadership at World YWCA. Effective, Monday, January 21, 2019, Ms. Malayah Harper is no longer serving in the capacity of General Secretary of the World YWCA. The World YWCA Deputy General Secretary, Ms. Casey Harden, will act as General Secretary on an interim basis until further notice. Please click here for the official notification from World YWCA Board Chair, Deborah Thomas- Austin.

Important Dates

• February 5: State of the Union Address
• April 25-28: Stand Against Racism 2019

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