Author Archives: YWCA

The YWCA of Greater Atlanta team is gearing up for its Salute to Women of Achievement ceremony later this week — an annual event recognizing women who excel in their professions, and are committed to the YW’s mission to empower women and eliminate racism. The inductees are honored for their work within corporate, philanthropic, government, […]

By Sharmen Gowens, Former President & CEO of YWCA of Greater Atlanta Being the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA of Greater Atlanta gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. Over my seven+ years as CEO, I learned many lessons. I learned from the people who I worked with every day. I learned from community leaders. […]

By Sharmen M. Gowens, CEO, YWCA of Greater Atlanta More than a century since the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed, giving women the right to vote, women still have concerns about economic security, violence and health care in daily life. The women of Georgia say these issues are top of mind, and they […]

YWCA of Greater Atlanta expresses deep concern, disappointment and outrage regarding the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. While we knew this outcome was a strong possibility, the formal ruling affirms the direction, not only of the Supreme Court, but of our country at this moment in history.  YWCA of Greater Atlanta is committed […]

By Sharmen Gowens YWCA of Greater Atlanta celebrates 120 years this year. Since 1902, we have been a force for change for women and girls in the metropolitan Atlanta community. Founded on the campus of Spelman College, ours is a history of mobilizing resources to identify community problems, advocate for solutions and create more equitable […]

YWCA of Greater Atlanta Continuing to lead Conversations about Race One might wonder why YWCA of Greater Atlanta wishes to become the leading site for Conversations about Race, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The guiding principles of YWCA beckon us to engage in activities that seek to eliminate racism and empower women and promote peace, justice, […]

Americans, especially Black Americans will come together this week for the annual festivities recognizing Juneteenth.   For anyone who may not know by now, Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African-Americans in […]

Since 1984, YWCA of Greater Atlanta has recognized the amazing accomplishments of women in Atlanta at our annual Salute To Women of Achievement event. Over the course of the past 37 years, we paid homage to women who broke glass ceilings, who support this community in countless ways and who align with our mission to […]

Like nearly everyone in our Atlanta community, YWCA of Greater Atlanta closed its doors last March when we were made aware that we were in a global pandemic. As an agency that has been in Atlanta since 1902, serving women and children through various programs, we were stunned and unsure of how we could continue […]