It’s more important than ever to have somewhere you feel supported, safe and encouraged. A place that helps you break any barriers to your success. YWCA Olympia is this place for individuals and families, particularly women and girls of color. The nonprofit is dedicated to, “eliminating racism and sexism to advance the political, social, and economic status of those most impacted by oppression.” Every year, they celebrate people in our area who have made a difference at their annual Women of Achievement Celebration.
YWCA Olympia: 79 Years of Impact
“On January 22, 1945, 10 women met in Olympia to discuss the founding of a local branch of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA),” explains Alli Ewing, YWCA Olympia co-executive director. “What had started nationally as a small prayer circle was rapidly growing to become the largest women’s organization in the world dedicated to service and social justice. By August of 1945, a strong local chapter was formed with the election of Mildred Lemon as the first Board Chair and the appointment of Francis Simas as the first Executive Director.”
Fast forward 79 years and YWCA Olympia is still on the same mission: to help those impacted by racism, sexism and other social injustices. Over the years, the YWCA helped launch other important organizations in our area, including started SafePlace, the Rape Relief Center and the Refugee Center. “These all started out as YWCA programs,” adds Alli.
The list of services they have given over the years is lengthy, shares Alli, adding: “From basic needs through the Other Bank to give folks job opportunities through our economic empowerment program, our function in the community aims to be consistent yet responsive, and we work to align our programs and services to center the needs of those most impacted by systemic and interpersonal oppression.”
YWCA Olympia Today
“Today, YWCA Olympia is a center for healing in community, participant-led advocacy and anti-racist education,” continues Alli. “Our work is grounded in movements for racial justice, gender justice, economic justice and healing justice. Our mission is to eliminate racism and sexism to advance the political, social, and economic status of all women and girls to achieve our vision that all people are valued, live free from oppression and thrive in a just society. To carry out this change, our programs heal the traumas of systemic oppression, shift culture towards anti-racism, and influence institutional change.”
The YWCA Olympia has several programs fulfilling their mission, including Let’s Talk, workshops on social justice; Kathleen’s Closet, which provides interview and work outfits; the Liberation Collection, a group of community members with an accessible event space for healing and social justice events; and their youth programming, which creates events geared towards kids like the Youth Action Circle, workshops and nature adventures.
“All of our activities are aligned with an Intersectional Model that places the leadership and wisdom of Women of Color at the center,” explains Alli. “We do this while also seeking to engage people of all races and genders in the collective work of embodying our vision.”
While COVID did impact them, the nonprofit is using the experience as a way to see where they have been and what the greatest need in the community is moving forward, and how they sustain themselves. “Our work right now is focused on social justice conversations, building awareness around anti-racist practices and engaging in learning together, as well as supporting marginalized youth,” she continues. “Creating spaces for them to engage with each other and the community to support the mental, social, emotional and community-based support they need.”
On the horizon includes their partnership with the Department of Transportation’s Walk N Roll and the Puget Sound Estuarium. The Youth Circle has increased its after-school programming to more days and they hope to expand it back into public schools. They are also expanding the Let’s Talk programming from workshops to full social justice events. They are planning on adding more gender-neutral clothing and vocational items like scrubs to Kathleen’s Closet.
“In 2025 our focus will be on building community and offering more opportunities to engage in education, skill building,” Alli adds. “We are really excited to bring back Different Canvas Camp, our summer camp centered around introducing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth to arts and skills they may not have access to like pottery, metal working or game design.”
2024 Women of Achievement Celebration
On October 12, 2024, join them in celebrating their 30th annual Women of Achievement Celebration, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at ASHHO Cultural Community Center. There will be food, music, raffles and speakers to round out the night that is centered on acknowledging those who work hard to make our community a better place.
“Our intention is to honor women and gender-expansive folks who embody outstanding leadership qualities, are exceptionally committed to their community or profession, and align with the YWCA of Olympia’s mission to eliminate racism and sexism, to advance the political, social and economic status of all women and girls and embody our vision of a world where all people are valued, live free from oppression and thrive in a just society,” explains Alli.
A selection committee reviews those who have been nominated, considering questions like, “What individual achievements has the nominee made in their selected category to be honored as a YWCA Women or Business of Achievement,” “What barriers have they overcome to achieve these goals,” and, “How have the nominee’s achievements/activities exemplified YWCA Olympia’s mission,” when making their selections.
You can purchase tickets online. A Table of Friends includes seats for 8 people for $350.
Money raised at the event goes to support YWCA Olympia’s programs and to the honorees in support of their work in the community.
“The biggest need we have currently is re-engaging with the community,” shares Alli, “having opportunities to share about our programs and services and inviting folks to get involved. We are navigating some funding restraints as we face the realities of how the pandemic impacted us, and we are really seeking to rebuild and re-engage with our incredible supporters and partners to sustain our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. It’s an important mission to center, and we can’t do it alone!”
Get re-engaged and inspired at the upcoming Women of Achievement Celebration.
