Submitted by YWCA Olympia
For the 26th year, YWCA Olympia seeks to celebrate by inspiring South Sound community members during our annual Womxn of Achievement Celebration this November. Please join us in honoring this years Womxn of Achievement Honorees: Talauna Reed, Tanikka Watford and Earth-Feather Sovereign.
Womxn of Achievement is a celebration of the contributions of incredible leaders in our community, who are not only making a huge difference, but whom don’t get honored and celebrated nearly as much as they should because of historic and current patterns of racism and sexism. Womxn of Achievement as an event is a platform for centering Womxn of Color, who have always led change at the intersections of race, gender justice and equality.
Talauna Reed has worked tirelessly for institutional accountability. Knowing this is not popular or easy, and living in a smaller community where her actions could impact her safety, Talauna has been out there, in the public, holding systems to account for institutional neglect at a time when we really need it.
Tanikka Watford, along with the Moore Wright Group was ready to respond to this crisis that has hurt us all and to address unmet needs to support people’s survival. She has built so many partnerships and is providing services that support peoples’ lives in tangible ways.
E
arth-Feather Sovereign has been relentless in making sure the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women has a voice and that the women have a voice. This is such an important issue that gets no attention. Earth Feather’s efforts have made the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women visible and present in tangible ways.
We are also pleased to announce Patrisse Cullors as our guest speaker
Patrice is an artist, activist, educator, public speaker, best-selling author and Los Angeles-native. Patrisse is also the Co-Founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network and Founder of the Los Angeles-based grassroots organization Dignity and Power Now. The movement has since expanded into an international organization with dozens of chapters around the world campaigning against anti-black racism. For the last 20 years, Cullors has been on the frontlines of criminal justice reform and led Reform LA Jails’ “Yes on R” campaign.
The YWCA in Olympia is focused on the mission of eliminating racism and sexism to advance the social, political, and economic status of all womxn and girls. While the organization is specifically focused on Racial Justice, all of the activities are aligned with an intersectional focus that places the leadership and wisdom of Womxn of Color at the center. This is done while also seeking to engage people of all races and genders in the collective work of the YWCA Olympia’s vision: All People are valued, live free from oppression, and thrive in a just society.
YWCA Olympia is a non-profit, multi-service organization that has served girls, womxn and families since 1945. YWCA Olympia is a local association of the YWCA USA, an organization with 170+ years of history working across the lines of race and gender to provide services for survivors of domestic violence, shelter and housing, childcare, workforce development, civil rights, and more.
YWCA Olympia is a Center for Healing in Community, Antiracist Education & Participant-Led Advocacy
- Centering Black and Indigenous Womxn & Womxn of Color
- People Over Systems
- Accountability
- Collective Care
Ticket information is available at www.ywcaofolympia.org, under Events (2020 Womxn of Achievement). All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit YWCA Olympia.
For more information? Contact Marisa Caughlan, Racial Justice Events specialist at mcaughlan@ywcaofolympia.org .
