Reclaiming Freedom: What Independence Really Means in 2025
Every July, we celebrate freedom with fireworks, family gatherings, and national pride. But as we commemorate our country’s independence, it's important to ask: what does freedom truly mean when not everyone experiences it equally?
At YWCA Northeast Kansas, we believe that freedom is more than a promise. It’s a practice. And for many in our community, freedom isn’t marked by a date on the calendar. It’s a daily struggle to feel safe, to be seen, and to have the opportunity to thrive.
Freedom from Violence
For survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, freedom can mean breaking cycles of harm, finding safe housing, or simply having someone believe their story. Our Center for Safety and Empowerment works alongside survivors to reclaim their lives—one brave step at a time.
As one survivor shared:
"You never gave up on me… I will always be grateful for the work you do at the YWCA."
Freedom Through Empowerment
Through programs like Kids Quest and Leadership Momentum, we empower children, families, and professionals to build lives defined not by barriers, but by potential. Whether it's a child gaining confidence in an after-school enrichment program or a woman stepping into a leadership role for the first time, this is what freedom looks like in action.
Freedom Rooted in Racial Justice
We cannot talk about freedom without naming the role that systemic racism plays in limiting access to opportunity. At YWCA, our commitment to eliminating racism is central to our mission because we know there is no equity without racial justice.
What Can You Do?
Freedom doesn’t just belong to the loudest voices or those with the most privilege. It belongs to all of us, and we all have a role in protecting it.
This July, we invite you to:
Support local survivors through a donation to our Center for Safety and Empowerment
Shop our Amazon Wish List to support children in our programs
Share your voice for racial justice and gender equity in your workplace or community
Join us at the Women of Excellence Gala this September to celebrate changemakers leading the way
True freedom is safety. It’s dignity. It’s opportunity. It’s justice.
Let’s work together to make sure everyone in Northeast Kansas has the power to live boldly, powerfully, and freely.