This is an excerpt: As I sat through the speaking presentations at USOW, I was struck by the level of representation achieved in the room. Truly, any little girl could look up at the stage and recognize some version of herself.

This is an excerpt: By Joan Ryan, Women’s Wellness Manager, YWCA AlaskaIt was Saturday, May 5th, at 6:30 in the morning when I joined the different YWCA delegates at the lobby of the Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles.

This is an excerpt: By Desiré Bennett, Advocacy Manager, YWCA Greater CincinnatiI stealthily slipped into the cavernous Shrine Auditorium about 20 minutes before it flooded with hordes of more than 6,000 other anxious women and girls (and some men) eager to score good seats. The auditorium was abuzz with stage hands, sound technicians, and musical talent running a sound check. The lights throughout were dimmed, with only the stage illuminated.

This is an excerpt: By Desiré Bennett, Advocacy Manager, YWCA Greater CincinnatiI stealthily slipped into the cavernous Shrine Auditorium about 20 minutes before it flooded with hordes of more than 6,000 other anxious women and girls (and some men) eager to score good seats. The auditorium was abuzz with stage hands, sound technicians, and musical talent running a sound check. The lights throughout were dimmed, with only the stage illuminated.

This is an excerpt: At YWCA, we’ve been working for justice for 160 years. While we’re not new to this work, we also know that we are experiencing a watershed moment in the fight for racial justice.

This is an excerpt: At YWCA, we’ve been working for justice for 160 years. While we’re not new to this work, we also know that we are experiencing a watershed moment in the fight for racial justice.

This is an excerpt: YWCA USA is proud to support the incredible student movement against gun violence that is taking our nation by storm, and will mark the landmark March for Our Lives this Saturday, March 24 (the same day as our foremother, YWCA champion and civil right leader Dr. Dorothy I. Height’s birthday!) We encourage you to join us and hundreds of thousands of others here in Washington, D.C. and at local events around the country!

This is an excerpt: YWCA USA is proud to support the incredible student movement against gun violence that is taking our nation by storm, and will mark the landmark March for Our Lives this Saturday, March 24 (the same day as our foremother, YWCA champion and civil right leader Dr. Dorothy I. Height’s birthday!) We encourage you to join us and hundreds of thousands of others here in Washington, D.C. and at local events around the country!

This is an excerpt: By Catherine Beane, Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy, YWCA USAWhen the youngest of my four sons was born, everything seemed just fine. He was healthy and vivacious. Cute-as-a-bug’s-ear with all his fingers and toes. And his smile and happy baby sounds were a delight to his older brothers.

This is an excerpt: By Catherine Beane, Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy, YWCA USAWhen the youngest of my four sons was born, everything seemed just fine. He was healthy and vivacious. Cute-as-a-bug’s-ear with all his fingers and toes. And his smile and happy baby sounds were a delight to his older brothers.

This is an excerpt: By Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA Generations of women began their paths to empowerment, safety, and economic security by entering the doors of the YWCA, because for over 160 years, YWCA USA has continued to #PressForProgress.

This is an excerpt: By Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA Generations of women began their paths to empowerment, safety, and economic security by entering the doors of the YWCA, because for over 160 years, YWCA USA has continued to #PressForProgress.

This is an excerpt: “Domestic violence continues to be an epidemic impacting one in four women in the United States. One of the primary reasons domestic violence continues at this pace is because abusers face little to no accountability for their actions.

This is an excerpt: “Last night, immigrant youth and their families were betrayed by Congress, as the Senate and House proceeded to pass a budget deal that again leaves 800,000 Dreamers out in the cold.

This is an excerpt: “In last night’s State of the Union address, President Trump doubled down on his standard dog-whistle of divisive rhetoric and scapegoating our most underserved communities. Last night’s litany of policies focused on building a border wall, separating immigrant families and ramping up penalties for drug offenders.

This is an excerpt: “We are deeply disappointed in Congress’ failure to do their jobs and fund programs that support women, families, and our communities.“

This is an excerpt: For Immediate ReleaseContact: Cindy HoffmanVice President of Communications and MarketingYWCA USAP 202.524.5328 | choffman@ywca.orgYWCA USA Proud Partner of Women's MarchWashington, D.C., January 18, 2017 ––YWCA USA is proud to join as a partner of the Women's March scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2017.

This is an excerpt: Recently, new stories of sexual assault and harassment dominate the news cycle. But women, survivors and advocates confront these issues every day, whether or not they make the press.