A Whole Month for Women?: A Note from Kathleen's Desk

Dear Friends,

We really need to talk about intersectional feminism. This idea recognizes that certain groups of people have multi-layered facets in life that they have to deal with, such as racism, ableism, classism, and bias against gender expression and sexual orientation, just to name a few. I am reminded of Sojourner Truth’s famous “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech from a 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in which she pointed out that the rights and dignities afforded to some women were not available to all women because of the color of her skin.

Sojourner Truth wasn’t “just” a woman, she was a black woman; she was an enslaved black woman; a poor enslaved black woman; a poor enslaved black woman who used a cane for mobility. Feminism isn’t just about advancing women as a monolithic group, it’s about recognizing that for many individuals, “being a woman” is just the tip of the iceberg.

Today, we sit at another intersection: between Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March). You may have heard this before, but it bears repeating: here at YWCA Northeast Kansas, we work to eliminate racism and empower women every day. And when we say “justice for all,” we mean it, every day of the year.

We recognize that not all inequality is created equal. We are committed to creating a world of justice, working to dismantle barriers and transform institutions until the world sees women, people of color, LGBTQ folx, disabled individuals, and all other intersections in our community the way we do: Equal. Powerful. UNSTOPPABLE.

Join us for these programs:

March 11: Building Blocks: LGBTQ Folx & Relationship Violence, a FREE seminar discussing the impact of intimate partner violence in queer communities.
April 11: Concealed Revealed Art Auction, 17th annual signature YWCA event directly benefiting survivors of sexual violence.
April 22: Spring Network Lunch: Stand Against Racism, featuring Mayor Michelle De La Isla discussing how access to voting and census participation is crucial to representing communities of color.
April 30: Emerging Leaders – Spring (II) Session, a 5-week course for new managers navigating team leadership.
May 6: Leadership Momentum begins, a 6-month leadership development course for mid-career professional women to level up managerial skills.
June 2: 32nd annual YWCA Leadership Luncheon, celebrating women of excellence in our community. Nominations open now!

Thank you for standing in solidarity for a strengthened community,

Kathleen Marker

CEO, YWCA Northeast Kansas

Announcements:

Concealed Revealed is now in it’s 17th year! Join us on Saturday, April 11th at 6:30 PM at the historic Jayhawk Theatre for an inspiring, empowering evening of art, great food, wine, and beer tastings all while supporting the mission and crucial programs supporting survivors in our Center for Safety and Empowerment. Purchase tickets now!
Join us for a FREE 1-hour “Lunch & Learn” session on Wednesday, March 11 at the YWCA Dining Room. Our very own Cam Cameron, Public Education Coordinator at the Center for Safety and Empowerment will guide us through understanding relationship violence in the LGBTQIAA+ community and why it is important. This event is FREE, but registration is requested. You are invited to bring your brown bag lunch.
Racial Justice Book Club continues in March! We will meet the first and third Tuesdays in March from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library. March 10 & 24: Chokehold: Policing Black Men by Paul Butler. Discussions will be guided by YWCA’s volunteer racial justice facilitators. Find out more information on the YWCA website, and find our Racial Justice Book Club on Facebook.
We are now enrolling for two professional development courses for women leaders. Leadership Momentum is for entrepreneurs, middle managers, senior managers, directors, partners and vice presidents with direct experience leading people. This six-month course meets once a month. Now enrolling for 2020 starting on May 6. Emerging Leaders is designed for women managers with six months to a year of experience in a supervisory role (new managers). This five-week program meets once a week for three-hour sessions. Now enrolling for Spring (II) session starting April 30.
ELC kiddos taking in an afternoon yoga session
Kids Quest Summer Camp is gearing up for adventures around Topeka for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are provided. Pick up and drop off are at Whitson Elementary School. For more information or to start the enrollment process, please visit our Youth Services website.
YWCA “Power Up” Summer Program for Topeka Public School Incoming Kindergarteners (KAPP) is now enrolling! This program is for children who will start kindergarten in August 2020 who have little to no preschool experience. We will prepare your child for how school works and teach them academic and social skills. YWCA KAPP is free and provides breakfast and lunch. Please have applications submitted by May 8th.