Our Mission
YW Boston is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Our Impact
We will reduce systemic inequities, such as racial and gender disparities, to improve outcomes for women, people of color, and women of color in Boston. By targeting organizational and systemic change,
-
Participating individuals and institutions will change policies, practices, behaviors, and attitudes to be more inclusive;
-
Partner organizations will shift their demographic structure toward greater diversity and inclusion at all levels.
Our History
As the first YWCA in the nation, we are proud of our history as leaders in the causes of eliminating racism and empowering women. On March 3, 1866, 30 women met in Boston at the home of civic reformer Pauline Durant to adopt a constitution for the Boston Young Women’s Christian Association. It was the first time in the United States the name – YWCA – was used. Their objective: “The temporal, moral, and religious welfare of young women who are dependent upon their own exertions for support.” What followed was 150 years of YWCA Boston catalyzing unprecedented advances in women’s empowerment and social justice in the city.
We are a proud member of YWCA USA.
View Our Current Work