YWCA Minneapolis

Join YWCA Minneapolis at the Capitol on March 17! For over 130 years, we’ve led the fight for racial and gender equity. Now, we need your voice to advocate for policies that invest in our communities. ?? Stand with us to deliver a clear message: investing in our children, youth and families is non-negotiable. ? Free and open to the public ? Help shape a better future Register today: https://bit.ly/43yrfJk #AdvocateForChange #YWCAatTheCapitol #PublicPolicy #SocialImpact #EquityForAll

As the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo uses her powerful words to uplift Indigenous voices, history and resilience. She inspires generations to reclaim their stories and culture through poetry, music and activism. #WomensHistoryMonth #ONEYWCA

At YWCA Minneapolis we are, and will continue to, stand firmly in our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. And we will continue to do so through advocacy for public policy changes that support racial justice, education, and equity-centered programs that focus on systemic inequalities and promote social justice: -Early Childhood Education: high-quality, affordable, early childhood education with an anti-bias and social justice curriculum; -Girls & Youth: empowering girls and youth to nurture their confidence, relationships, and leadership skills; -Racial Justice: fighting racism and promoting justice for all people; and -Health & Wellness: addressing health disparities by offering a space for youth and families to connect to health and wellness and community services.

Women are being shortchanged. ?? Women working full-time, year-round, lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime earnings due to the #WageGap—and for women of color, the gap is even wider. ?? Here in Minnesota, the loss adds up to $415,960. Lawmakers must act! We are raising our voices alongside @YWCAUSA, our sister associations, and advocacy organizations nationwide to demand action. ? Pass the #PaycheckFairnessAct. ? Strengthen existing fair pay laws. ? Protect workers from retaliation for discussing wages. Equal work deserves equal pay. Let’s make it happen. #EqualPayDay #WageGap #PayEquityNow #CloseTheGap #FairPay #ONEYWCA

?? Inspire a Summer of Discovery at YWCA Minneapolis! ?????? Looking for an enriching summer experience for kids entering grades K-4? Passport to Summer Camp takes young learners on a global adventure through art, music, science and culture—while fostering creativity and curiosity. ?? June 9 – August 27, 2025 ?? Full-day camps with hands-on activities Give your child the gift of exploration this summer! Reserve their spot today: ?? https://bit.ly/4iB6LVa #SummerCamp #PassportToSummer #FunLearning #YouthDevelopment #STEM #ArtEducation

Simone, the most decorated gymnast of all time, redefines excellence while championing mental health and athlete safety. Her courage reminds us that true strength is about more than medals—it’s about knowing your worth. #WomensHistoryMonth #ONEYWCA

Hope Giselle is an African American transgender activist and author. Currently, Giselle is the executive director of the National Trans Visibility March. Giselle also launched AllowMe in 2022: a nonprofit that promotes the personal and professional growth of young LGBTQ people of color. #WomensHistoryMonth #ONEYWCA

?? We Showed Up, Spoke Out, and Made an Impact! Earlier this week, over 75 advocates rallied with YWCA Minneapolis to champion investments in youth programs, childcare, education, housing, and workforce development. Together, we delivered a powerful message: people must come before politics. In a time of great upheaval, we unite for our communities' health, safety and well-being. Thank you to Representative Kaohly Vang Her, Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, Representative Ethan Cha, and Senator Scott Dibble for inspiring us at the rally. We’re also grateful to Representative Sencer-Mura and Senator Mohamed for engaging in meaningful discussions with our group. ?? Advocacy doesn’t end here—your voice matters and your actions make a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going! #AdvocateForChange #PeopleOverPolitics #YWCAatTheCapitol

Helen Rodríguez-Trías was a Puerto Rican physician and public health advocate who fought for women’s reproductive rights. The first Latina woman to be president of the American Public Health Association, she worked to increase access to quality healthcare for women and children and fought to abolish forced sterilization. In 2001, Rodriguez-Trias received a Presidential Citizen’s Medal for her work in public health and AIDS advocacy. #WomensHistoryMonth #ONEYWCA

Our President & CEO, Shelley Carthen Watson, is speaking at this event, leading a talk on changes to women's rights under the new administration, charting your path and moving forward while sharing her story.