2021 was a year of uncertainty. After 2020’s nationwide protests against police brutality, ongoing systemic racism, and violence towards Black lives coupled with the continued COVID-19 pandemic, there was a question of what 2021 would bring. Fortunately, the momentum of the previous year did not fade into the dark as our supporters, program participants, partners, and donors joined the movement for a brighter and more equitable future.  

YW Boston helps individuals and institutions change policies, practices, behaviors, and attitudes to become more inclusive. We partner with organizations to support their DEI journey and create greater diversity and inclusion at all levels. 

We target organizational and systemic change through our work including our DEI Services (such as InclusionBoston, LeadBoston, DEI Workshops, and UncoverBoston), the F.Y.R.E. Initiative, the Parity on Board Coalition, Stand Against Racism, events like the Academy of Women Achievers and Elevating Lives, and our online content. 

As we plan for the year ahead and map out our actions for 2022, we pause to reflect on the progress we’ve made together. In 2021, 

We partnered with 36 organizations through our InclusionBoston program, helping over 200 individuals and over 20 organizations complete action plans to support inclusive policies and practices.

We graduated 47 inclusive leaders from our LeadBoston Class of 2021 who can now tackle inequities at their respective organizations and the Boston community at large.

After participating in the F.Y.R.E. Initiative twice as many Igniters reported having the skills to be politically informed. In addition, 89% of Igniters grew or maintained high academic self-efficacy. 

97% of UncoverBoston participants agreed or strongly agreed that the Education program day they experienced “challenged or deepened their understanding of equity issues in Boston.” 

Over 140 organizations and 100 individuals registered for our Stand Against Racism campaign, making up an estimated total of over 14,000 participants across Massachusetts.

We reached over 1,000 new social media followers on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.

Over 600 people supported YW Boston’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through individual donations. 

“This movement is hard work. Yet, its goals of racial and gender equity are essential for all who care about living in a fair and just society and the individuals – women, people of color and in particular women of color – who have lived with the implications of racism and sexism for too long.”

– Beth Chandler, YW Boston President & CEO

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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 youth programming, 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.  

A donation to YW Boston will help create sustainable change our city and fuel our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.