Silencing the voices of black, Native American, Asian American & Pacific Islander, and Latinx women is so common that it’s an American societal habit that nearly everyone is conditioned to participate in both consciously and unconsciously. In part one of this two-part series, we unpack some historical frameworks that have contributed to the loss of voice for women of color and how those frameworks still inform and shape the experience of women of color.

Rapid Rehousing is a housing-first model of moving people experiencing homelessness into a home, and has become a linchpin in Seattle's strategy to end homelessness. While these programs are effective for some, they do not and can not work for everyone.

A new law passed in the Washington State Legislature this year has made it easier to build affordable housing on publicly-owned surplus land, including on top of light rail stations, where it will do the most good for our housing, climate, and traffic crises.

Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is held yearly on July 18 in recognition of all of Mandela's achievements toward furthering human rights, democracy, and social justice.

In partnership with WorldSkills International and the United Nations, July 15 was declared World Youth Skills Day. This day is celebrated to bring awareness to the essentiality of vocational education. YWCA would like to do its part by highlighting our GirlsFirst Program. Read more in this Q and A about our economic advancement program to empower girls of color.

Ever met someone who just has "feel good vibes?" Those are vibes community activist and storyteller Sharon Nyree Williams exudes. Like soul food, she fills you up with goodness, enriched in history, activism, and social justice. She is as captivating as her stories, as real as the issues facing black communities and as rich in essence as the stories she tells. I asked Sharon some questions about her work, having a dream, where her passions lie, and the responsibility that comes with storytelling.