2020 has been a year none of us could have imagined. Early on, COVID-19 hit and revealed stark inequities for people of color, women, and in particular women of color. In the spring, ongoing police brutality and systemic racism finally became an issue our country could no longer ignore.
It is all too easy to feel despair, but for us at YW Boston, supporters like you and participants in our programs, demonstrate a commitment to real change that requires deep, and often challenging work.

YW Boston’s work is unique, innovative, and impactful. Our curriculum is based on research and evaluation. YW Boston educates, empowers, and perhaps most importantly, YW Boston helps all of us to act. These three tenants are woven throughout our work, including InclusionBoston, LeadBoston, the F.Y.R.E. Initiative, the Parity on Board Coalition, Stand Against Racism, events like the Academy of Women Achievers, Elevating Lives, and Women on the Rise, as well as our online content.

Wherever you fall on your journey, YW Boston is here to support you in our quest to achieve a more inclusive and equitable city. In 2021, we will continue to pursue our mission and build upon the success of 2020. In 2020,

We reached over 200,000 individuals through the YW Boston website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.

Over 2,000 people attended virtual YW Boston webinars and events including our Women on the Rise panel with the Boston City Councilwomen, 25th Academy of Women Achievers luncheon, our Leading with Empathy webinar, annual meeting, and Elevating Lives series.

We empowered over 130 organizations and more than 6,000 individuals to take a Stand Against Racism.

YW Boston facilitated over 50 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshops and lectures to more than 7,000 individuals and partnered with over 15 organizations as part of InclusionBoston.

We graduated 42 inclusive leaders from our LeadBoston program who are now prepared to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within their communities and organizations.

We facilitated 14 cohorts and engaged over 150 middle school girls in our civic engagement and youth leadership program, the F.Y.R.E. Initiative.

Over 800 people supported YW Boston’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through individual donations.

“We are grateful to have you as a part of our growing and vibrant YW Boston Community. We can’t do this work without you. With your continued support—both financial and through your own learning and commitment to action—change will happen, and we will all be better for it.“

– Beth Chandler, YW Boston President & CEO

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About YW Boston

As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston has been at the forefront of advancing equity for over 150 years. Through our DE&I services—InclusionBoston and LeadBoston—as well as our advocacy work and F.Y.R.E. Initiative, we help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with a goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed. 

2020 has deepened some of the most pressing inequities in our country. Thanks to our donors and supporters, YW Boston was able to adapt and respond to the challenges unearthed by this difficult year. We are grateful for our strong community of advocates. And as we focus on the future, we ask that you help us continue the fight as we bring this energy into 2021. Together, we can transform our futures and build a more equitable Boston for all.

A donation to YW Boston will help create sustainable change in our city and fuel our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.