YWCA Central Massachusetts

Join us on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the DCU Club in the Polar Park for our annual Stand Against Racism Community Breakfast. ??? Purchase tickets at https://lnkd.in/eavmYtTk ?? Featured Speaker is Yavilah McCoy, CEO of the diversity consulting group, DIMENSIONS Inc. Race, Gender, Equity and Freedom in 2025: As women and Black women+ continue to face erasure, targeting, and the delegitimization of our leadership, work, and values at this time, join Yavilah McCoy in surveying the past, present, and future for shining examples of women of color who have paved the way for the values of equity, freedom, and democracy to be upheld in service of us all. Working towards true racial justice takes all of us. Join us in advancing justice today and every day — until justice just is.

#WomensHistoryMonth YWCA board member, Katie Stickney is a Project Manager for the Community and Government Relations Office at UMass Chan Medical School , Katie serves as a vital bridge between internal and external stakeholders, fostering meaningful connections that strengthen the Worcester community. As a dedicated advocate for civic engagement, education, and public policy, she joined the YWCA Board of Directors in 2024 and currently contributes her expertise to the Public Policy Committee. She is also pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration at UMass Boston, with a focus on gender, leadership, and public policy. Katie is instrumental in leading volunteer initiatives and co-administering the Dynamic Futures program, which introduces Worcester youth (ages 16-18) to career pathways in behavioral and mental health. With a board-certified background in music therapy, she brings a holistic and intersectional approach to her work in the community. Join us in celebrating Katie’s incredible impact and dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive future! #WomensHistoryMonth #CommunityLeadership #womenwhoinspire

#WomensHistoryMonth YWCA Board Member, Sarah Perkins’ passion for the YWCA’s mission—to eliminate racism and empower women and girls—led her to join the organization as a board member in 2024. Honored to be selected, she leverages her professional expertise, social platform, and lived experience to help drive the YWCA’s impactful initiatives forward. In her career, Sarah serves as a Compliance Manager at Mass General Brigham , where she works tirelessly to support disabled and aging adults in living independent and fulfilling lives. She is a strong advocate for expanding essential services, particularly those addressing social drivers of health and closing health equity gaps within our healthcare system. Her efforts help ensure that historically underserved communities receive the care and support they deserve. Thank you, Sarah, for your unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable world. #WomensHistoryMonth #EmpowerWomen #EquityInAction

#WomensHistoryMonth YWCA board member, Gina Ahtof is a dynamic leader in the world of promotions. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and a strong background in graphic design, Gina has made it her mission to help businesses elevate their brand presence with high quality, thoughtfully sourced promotional items. Based in Worcester, Gina is a champion for women-owned businesses, forging strong connections and providing them with strategic branding solutions that set them apart. Gina blends her foundation in art, education, and design to bring a unique perspective to marketing. She offers clients the best possible options, ones that are not just effective, but also responsible and impactful. Thank you, Gina, for your commitment to empowering women and the community. #WomenshistoryMonth #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #womeninleadership

#WomensHistoryMonth YWCA Board Vice President, Kristin Sawash is the Vice President of Commercial Lending at UniBank MA for Savings in Whitinsville. Kristin’s journey is a testament to dedication and leadership—starting as a teller, she worked her way up through the ranks as an Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Manager before stepping into her current role. A proud graduate of Anna Maria College, Kristin holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Business Administration. Beyond her professional success, she is a passionate advocate for her community, having volunteered with organizations such as Blackstone Valley Technical High School, Dress for Success Worldwide , Center for Women & Enterprise , Women in Development of Central Massachusetts, Uxbridge Lions Club, and Waters Farm Preservation. Kristin has been a dedicated board member for the YWCA Central Massachusetts for 9 years. We are grateful for her leadership. Thank you, Kristin, for your commitment to empowering women and leading with purpose. #WomensHistoryMonth #EmpoweredWomenEmpowerWomen #WomenInLeadership #LocalWomenLeaders #womenwhoinspire

Join our Transformations Program participants for their “Stars in the Making” Showcase. Share your skills and help create a positive impact for local black girls! We are seeking talented Black makeup artists, fashion designers, and hairstylists to be part of our upcoming Artists Showcase! This is a unique opportunity to showcase your skills, creativity, and passion with our program participants. ?? Sign up: https://lnkd.in/edRg7tSk #GiveBacktoCommunity #UpliftYouth #BlackGirlMagic Transformations is a FREE year-long rite of passage program for Black girls, ages 12-14 or in middle school. The program provides positive social, emotional, and personal developmental skills. Making way for participants to thrive spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Celebrate #InternationalWomensDay with a drink for the cause! For every ‘Juice Box Hero’ cocktail you purchase at The Mercantile, $1 will be donated to support our mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and fostering a more equitable community. #CheersToChange #BeaHero #ywcacm #eliminatingracism #empoweringwomen

As part of our Transformations Program's #BLACKHISTORYMONTH journey, participants attended a powerful and open discussion on Black female representation in literature at Clark University. The event featured authors Raphael Rogers and Mariahdessa Tallie, sparking critical conversations about storytelling, identity, and the significance of inclusive literature. #BlackVoices #RepresentationMatters #literaryexcellence Transformations program is supported by the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation and Women's Initiative of Central Massachusetts.

#WomensHistoryMonth For nearly three years, Andrea Sullivan has been the dedicated Deputy Director of the Worcester JCC. Prior to this role, she led as the Development and Special Projects Director, fundraising to support scholarships and vital programs. Andrea's passion for community engagement began when she settled in Worcester after studying at WPI. Through active involvement in her children's school, she discovered her talent for fundraising and nonprofit work, leading her to a fulfilling career serving Worcester’s families. Andrea serves on the Board of Directors for Women in Development of Central Massachusetts, supporting and learning from fellow local fundraisers. She also dedicates time to volunteering to uplift local nonprofits. Andrea was recognized as a 2023 Worcester Woman to Watch and received the 2023 WPS Thomas Jefferson Award for her outstanding service in promoting equity and excellence for all students. Thank you, Andrea, for your dedication to making Worcester a stronger community! #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInLeadership #LocalWomenLeaders #Womenwhoinspire

Artist Sharinna Travieso visited our middle school Girls CHOICE program, sharing her journey as a mural artist and entrepreneur! We explored the stunning mural she completed for the WPL, where she opened up about her creative process and how she built a strong network that led to incredible opportunities. She emphasized the power of collaboration, community involvement, and reliability—all key to growing as an artist and professional. Sharinna also reminded us that rejection is part of the journey and that a strong network can open doors you never imagined! Thank you, Sharinna, for showing our participants what’s possible with passion and perseverance! Girls CHOICE middle school is funded by Women's Foundation of Boston and United Way of Central Massachusetts #MuralArt #WomenInArt #CreativeCommunity