YW Boston

Boston’s Women Entrepreneurs Summit (WEBOS) is back! Hosted by the City of Boston | Equity and Inclusion Cabinet and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, WEBOS is a powerful initiative designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs across all industries. This reimagined summit provides essential resources like mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities that are crucial for women-led businesses to thrive in today’s economy. @WEBOS includes expert-led workshops, impactful discussions, and a special Fireside chat featuring Tashira Halyard and Margo Lindauer, founders of the justUS Podcast. It’s an opportunity for women business owners, from startups to established enterprises, to gain valuable tools for sustainable growth and long-term success. The summit is part of the city’s commitment to ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the resources they need to innovate, lead, and shape the future of Boston’s economy. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event! Learn more here: https://buff.ly/gRCwoJD

Earlier this year, YW Boston hosted a successful Youth Huddle, bringing together organizations to share insights and experiences on youth programming. When asked about the most helpful parts of the day's discussion, one participant shared, 'Hearing that my program is not unique in the problems it's facing,' highlighting the value of connection and shared learning. Participants walked away with practical solutions for programmatic challenges and opportunities for further collaboration. If you’re interested in connecting or learning more about youth programming, please contact Jay Boss (they/them), Director of F.Y.R.E. Initiative, at [email protected]. A big thank you to Summer Search, SCI Social Capital Inc., Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs, BalletRox, Inc., Girl Scouts of Eastern MA, and YouthBuild for your participation and collaboration!

Happy Women's History Month! ?? We're shining a light on incredible women who have fought tirelessly for equal rights and justice, breaking barriers, and paving the way for generations of women to come. From trailblazers in Massachusetts to those whose stories have often been overlooked, we'll be sharing powerful facts that honor their contributions and the ongoing fight for equality. Pop on over to our Instagram Stories to learn more and join us in celebrating the legacies of these incredible women. What stories of women’s strength, resilience, and activism will you share?

The Everyone250 campaign is shining a spotlight on artists and contributions that have shaped America's history in ways often overlooked. As nation prepares for the 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Everyone250 aims to redefine what it means to belong in Boston. More than 100 local organizations are involved in the campaign, including Embrace and The Boston Globe’s A Beautiful Resistance. The aim? To ensure that Black, Latino, Asian, and queer artists are recognized as vital threads in the fabric of history. As Dart Adams, co-chair of Everyone250, puts it: "Representation matters. If you don't see yourself in the past or included in the present of being thought about, then you just feel displaced entirely." Learn more about the campaign here: https://buff.ly/DiLv631

Last week, Brianna Aloisio Savage (she/her), Associate Director of Advocacy, attended the International Women's Day Breakfast hosted by Massachusetts National Organization for Women (Mass NOW). This year marked the 27th annual breakfast, and YW Boston was proud to serve as a sponsor, host a table at the reception, and participate on the planning committee. The theme, Action in Unity: Celebrating Collective Power, set the tone for a powerful event. The morning began with remarks from Governor Healey on the state of women in Massachusetts, followed by an introduction from Mayor Michelle Wu, who, while holding her newborn daughter, shared her recent trip to Congress, where she spoke on behalf of Boston’s commitment to protecting women during these challenging times. The event also featured a panel discussion on the power of women coming together, organizing, and lifting one another up. YW Boston was thrilled to have members of our Advocacy Committee in attendance, with over 300 participants joining in person and online.

"Happy International Women's Day! ? We had the pleasure of speaking with Robin Whitney (she/her), Vice President of Advancement, about her inspiring career journey. Swipe to learn more about Robin's path and the valuable advice she has for women looking to advance their careers.

Dear YW Boston Friends and Colleagues, It is with mixed emotions that we announce Kathryn Henderson’s departure from YW Boston after an incredible 15 years! Starting as Project Team Leader in 2009, and most recently stepping in as Interim President and CEO in 2024, her journey here has been one of remarkable leadership, vision, and dedication. Throughout her time with us, Kathryn has led with grace, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Her work has shaped the very core of our organization, and her leadership has been a source of inspiration to us all. Her legacy is not only in the projects she has championed but in the way she has fostered a culture of respect, collaboration, and growth. As she moves on to her next chapter, we are filled with both gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead for her. While we will certainly miss her, we wish her nothing but success in her next chapter. Please join us in extending your warmest wishes and appreciation to Kathryn for everything she has done for YW Boston. Her impact will always be a part of who we are.

It's our birthday week!! ?? For over a century, YW Boston has fought for women’s rights and racial equity through our programs and advocacy. Our current work, empowering organizations, nurturing leaders, and mobilizing communities, responds to some of Boston’s greatest needs in this moment. While our programs have evolved over the years, YW Boston’s core mission has always stayed the same: eliminating racism and empowering women. This week, we celebrate 159 years of moving the mission forward, while also welcoming our ?NEW?president and CEO Aba Taylor! For our birthday and Aba’s first week, we hope you will consider making a contribution in honor of your experience with YW Boston. Whether you are a program participant, joined us for a training or webinar, advocated for change alongside us, or have memories of our facilities from many years ago, you are a part of our legacy. We are incredibly thankful to have you in our community! Make a gift: https://buff.ly/3OZVst6

In 2020, Northland made a commitment to establish a solid foundation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across their organization. With a dedicated senior leadership team and a diverse workforce spread across the nation, the question was: 'How do we ensure our efforts reach staff throughout our corporate headquarters and properties spread across 16 states?” Partnering with YW Boston, Northland worked to create an actionable DEI strategy, focusing on improving communication, enhancing professional development, and creating more inclusive recruitment and retention practices. This case study explores the key moments, challenges, and lessons learned during this 14-month journey and how Northland continues to integrate DEI into their culture today: https://buff.ly/oP92Lm9

Apple shareholders have voted to keep the company's Inclusion & Diversity program intact, rejecting a proposal to abolish it; signaling strong support for DEI initiatives. Despite recent attempts in the corporate world to scale back these efforts, Apple continues to prioritize inclusion as a core value, with CEO Tim Cook emphasizing the importance of a culture built on diverse perspectives: "Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate and create something magical for our users." Read more here: https://buff.ly/4bi0GKs