YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is bringing keynote speaker Laila Ali (boxing champion, author, entrepreneur & advocate) to the 2026 Inspire Luncheon on Thursday, September 24 at The Westin Seattle. This year’s theme is “Together We Are Powerful,” celebrating the resiliency of their community and the teamwork required to move women, men, and families from surviving to thriving.
Hear Laila Ali share her experience as the youngest daughter of global icon and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, proudly carrying forward a legacy of excellence, purpose, and impact while building her own path. A five-time boxing world champion, Laila made history as the first woman to provide expert boxing commentary for NBC Sports during the 2012 Olympic Games, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022 for her impact on the sport.
Laila Ali’s advocacy work includes serving as past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, supporting gender equity in sports and education; a longtime ambassador for the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA); and partner with Feeding America and Peace4Kids to fight food insecurity and improve access to nutrition and support underserved communities.
The Inspire Luncheon is YWCA’s biggest annual fundraiser, bringing together nearly 1,000 guests in support of YWCA’s work for local women and families. Last year, this generous group raised over $1M to fund these critical services. Gifts inspired by the event will help fund YWCA’s programs for housing stability, gender-based violence services, job training, and more, which serve more than 10,000 people annually across King and Snohomish Counties.
Register for this event on YWCA’s website or call 206.461.4440. Tickets start at $25.
What:
YWCA's largest fundraiser of the year, held in-person and livestreamed, featuring the personal story of a program participant, remarks from YWCA leadership, and a conversation between event emcee, Angela Poe Russell, and keynote speaker, Laila Ali.
When:
September 24, 2026
12:00-1:15pm PDT
Where:
The Westin Seattle
Online – link shared after registration.
About YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish:
Founded more than 130 years ago, YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is the largest and longest-running nonprofit in the region dedicated to the needs of women and girls. Through direct services and advocacy, YWCA works to promote opportunity and equity in housing, economic advancement, health, and safety, with programs that serve over 10,000 women, men, and children in King County and Snohomish County annually. YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Visit our website to learn more: ywcaworks.org.