Celebrating Women’s History Month
A woman is anyone who identifies as one.
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate women and highlight the work that still needs to be done to create a world where everyone is treated equal, regardless of their pronouns.
YWCA is the oldest and largest multiracial women's organization in the world.
Empowering women is YWCA's mission. Since 1901 we have and always will show up and advocate for all women in our community. Here are the women YWCA’s services support throughout Oregon:
Domestic & sexual violence Survivors rebuilding their lives
Incarcerated mothers staying connected to their family/kids
Community projects led by/dedicated to helping women
Low-income Seniors living independently in their homes
Social justice learners creating a more equitable world
During Women’s History Month, join YWCA as we celebrate our legacy of empowering women by showcasing how we continue to carry out the work of justice to further our mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and the sheroes and changemakers past and present at the forefront of that work.
Audre Lorde
photo of Audre Lorde by Poetry Foundation
Audre Lorde dedicated her creative talent throughout her life to standing up to racism, sexism, classism and homophobia. Describing herself as “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Lorde used her art to call for change and social justice. Lorde was extremely active in the second wave of feminist movement, civil rights, Black cultural movements, and equal rights for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
bell hooks
photo by the New York Times
bell hooks, choosing to spell her name in all lower case letters to de-emphasize her own individuality, was a prominent author and social justice activist. Her books Aint I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism and Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center blasted the feminist movement’s focus on the privilege of white women’s experiences. hooks focused on love: “"I'm so moved often when I think of the civil rights movement, because I see it as a great movement for social justice that was rooted in love and that politicized the notion of love, that said: Real love will change you."
Beyoncé
photo by BBC
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles recently broke records as the first Black woman to have a number one hit song on Billboard’s country music chart. Breaking glass ceilings and leaving no crumbs, Beyonce also holds the record for most grammy wins of all time with 32! Throughout her career, Beyonce continues to use her platform to advance social change and fight for gender equality. ‘We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible,’ Beyonce wrote in her 2014 essay on gender equality.
Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask
photo by University of Hawaii
Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of Native Hawaiians. Trask founded Ka Lahui Hawai`i, an organization focused on promoting Hawaiian independence from U.S. occupation and self-governance. Trask also led a march of 15,000 Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiians, in the first major protests demanding the return of native lands in Hawai`i in 1993. During her speech at the march, she said, “I am so proud to be here. I am so proud to be angry. I am so proud to be Hawaiian.”
Lily Gladstone
photo by GlamourUK
Lily Gladstone, who is of Siksikaitsitapi and NiMíiPuu heritage, broke barriers this year as the first Native American woman to be nominated for the best actress at the Academy Awards. For her incredible portrayal of Osage woman and historical figure Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese’s epic “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Lily also recently won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - drama. Awards Lily also received for her incredible performance in this role include, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role by the Screen Actors Guild, Best Actress by the National Board of Review and others.
Dr. Mandy Davis
photo by Trauma Informed Oregon
Dr. Mandy Davis is the director of Trauma Informed Oregon, an organization dedicated to preventing the impact of adverse experiences on children, adults, and families across our state. Throughout Oregon, Mandy consistently advocates for justice for those who have been wronged by our systems of oppression. “I am passionate about trauma informed care because it focuses on removing barriers that cause harm or prevent healing and it invites everyone to find a place in this work.”
Margaret Mitchell
Photo by YWCA USA
YWCA USA’s CEO Margaret Mitchell is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Before this position, Margaret served as the CEO of YWCA Cleveland for over 10 years where she more than doubled the nonprofit's budget, staff, and services offered including opening YWCA of Greater Cleveland Early Learning Center, the only trauma-informed preschool serving children and families experiencing houselessness. Margaret’s determined advocacy also led the acquisition of the Norma Herr Women’s Center, Cleveland’s largest homeless emergency women’s shelter. During her time at YWCA USA, Margaret has led a robust Until Justice Just Is campaign, working to eliminate racism worldwide through this month-long online learning platform.
Marsha P. Johnson
photo by CNN
Marsha P. Johnson was a social justice activist dedicating her life to advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, sex worker rights, houseless youth, and transgender rights. On the frontlines of the resistance at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, Johnson became a leader of the gay rights movement. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), “an organization dedicated to sheltering young transgender individuals who were shunned by their families.” Marsha P. Johnson, her chosen name, said that the “P” stands for “Pay It No Mind,” which was her response when people asked about her gender and her motto.
Mia Mingus
Photo by IGNITE National
Mia Mingus, a queer physically disabled korean transracial and transnational adoptee, has dedicated her life to advocating for disability and transformative justice. A Survivor and abolitionist, Mia has worked with communities to address harm, violence and abuse through transformative justice. Mia has created the disability justice framework and her writings on disability have been used in college curriculums and around the world. Through an intersectional lens, Mia connects disability justice with other social justice movements as she educates communities on dismantling all systems of oppression.
YWCA of Greater Portland Board of Directors
YWCA of Greater Portland is proud to have a board of all women leading change in our community. These local leaders, from variety of walks of life, embody YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. With a wide range of expertise and passionate energy, these women are dedicated to creating an equitable and just world where all thrive.
