All year, YWCA has been busy bringing community events to all parts of our region. Read on to find out how we’ve been all in for Washington women this past month, including events focused on clearing a path to leadership roles as well as reflecting on the trailblazers who have led the way.

Last month, we wrote about what the opportunity gap is, and how it impacts the potential for women, particularly Black women, to gain leadership positions in business and government. This week we’re looking at how other nations around the world have successfully narrowed the gap between men and women in representation on company boards or in major political parties.

Our agency’s goal is to center African American and black women and families and create real change in the community. We can do this by empowering those who are the farthest from opportunity. YWCA’s Human Resources Manager and I talk about what inclusive leadership is and why it is important to YWCA’s mission.

Meet Yusuf Hansia, a YWCA Activity Leader Volunteer at our Somerset Village Apartments. Yusuf’s goal is for residents to gain a better understanding of money management, and he works towards that by teaching several financial topics. Financial literacy is such an important skill to pass on and we appreciate Yusuf for donating his time to do so.

At YWCA, we talk a lot about the wage gap between women and men, a gap that is even larger for women of color. However, the opportunity gap that denies women chances to get promoted or work in fast growing industries is another example of the sexism and racism that has stagnated progress to equality in our economy.

It’s the time of year again for School Days! School Days is an event to collect school supplies for YWCA kids in grades K-12. Meet the woman setting up students for success in Snohomish County, Vicki Dorway.