On November 17, 2020, YW Boston welcomed over one hundred friends and supporters to our virtual 2020 Annual Meeting. Together, we shared our 2019 annual report, a recap of the year’s successes, and our vision for a more equitable Boston in 2021. We reviewed a year that, in March, was wholly unpredictable, but that by working together, became a time of resilience and growth. We also had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons, Founding Director of the Center for Healing Racial Trauma. Dr. Hargons’ keynote presentation focused on racial identity and racial trauma, and ways to cope, heal, and resist, particularly as we navigate the recent presidential election and upcoming holidays. We also heard from President and CEO Beth Chandler and Board Chair Marguerite Fletcher.

YW Boston welcomed three new members to the Board of Directors

During our 2020 annual meeting, YW Boston’s Board of Directors inducted new board members:

• Christopher Escobado Hart, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP
• Beyazmin Jimenez, Director of Economic Opportunity, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 
• Sharifah Niles-Lane, Vice President of Digital Marketing and Social Media, Eastern Bank

We also bid farewell to two outgoing members of the board:

• Ivor Cary Armistead III, Of Counsel (Retired Partner), Ropes & Gray LLP
• Jessica Ragosta Early, Partner, Holland & Knight

Below is a recording of YW Boston’s 2020 Annual Meeting:

During our discussion together, Dr. Hargons spoke about a guided journal she created to help people debrief racist moments they experience. You can find the journal here.

“YW Boston is stronger than ever. This year has been made bearable because together, YW Boston staff, Board, and you, our supporters and constituents, have shown a strong commitment to lasting change through learning and action.”

Marguerite Fletcher, YW Boston Board Chair

As an organization, YW Boston knows we must remain vigilant as we move into 2021. We need to sustain our energy in order to address deeply entrenched inequities in our communities, systems, and institutions. If you have not donated yet to YW Boston this year, or if you are able to donate again, please consider contributing to our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our board for their continued support. Check out YW Boston’s 2019 Annual Report below.

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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. 

As part of that work, we are helping organizations prioritize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and become socially connected while staying physically distant. During this time, YW Boston is providing organizations with digital workshops and resources to help them better understand the challenges faced by their employees. For more information, please contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org.