YW Boston thanks everyone who has supported our work in 2020, including those who have shared our work, who attended our virtual events, and who donated. As YW Boston President and CEO Beth Chandler recently shared, “Because of your support, we have been able to meet the high demand for engaging virtual programs and events related to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. By working together, an unpredictable year has become one of resilience and growth.”

We want to extend a special thank you to our donors who belong to our Persimmon Society and those who are recurring donors. YW Boston’s Persimmon Society recognizes donors who contribute $1,000+ in a calendar year. We understand that not all of our supporters have the capacity to make a $1,000+ donation. Contributing as a monthly recurring donor of any amount helps you fit your donation into your monthly budget, as well as extends the life of your gift. At YW Boston, we extend special event invitations to donors who give monthly or are a part of the Persimmon Society, and we are excited to plan virtual gatherings for the group in 2021.

We touched base with a few of YW Boston’s loyal donors to learn why they prioritize supporting our work. Check out their insights, and consider joining them as a recurring or Persimmon Society donor.

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John Anderson
Global Head of Corporate Finance, John Hancock

What first attracted you to YW Boston’s mission and work?
After the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, my employer John Hancock accelerated their program on racial diversity, equity, and inclusion, and hired the YW to lead us through employee conversations on race. The sessions were very high impact and super helpful.  The YW discussion leaders were so great at introducing concepts and framing the conversation. This made the conversations high impact both for those who had been working on the topic for a while, and for those who were new to the topic. I thought the work was so impressive, I wanted to be part of helping the YW team do more, across all of their programs.

Why is nonprofit giving important to you?
So many of our social challenges need the good work of our governments, businesses, and the non-profit sector.  The non-profit sector can have such high impact bringing their ability to focus on a specific social challenge, and they can be so nimble moving quickly to where the need is greatest.  

Why is it important to you to support YW Boston’s work as a member of YW Boston’s Persimmon Society (donors of 1,000+)?
Racial inclusion is such an important goal for the US, and YW is such a good part of the answer, helping us all get better in this area. I was probably nudged by Ibram Kendi’s wonderful book How To Be An Anti-Racist, which urges the reader to be a catalyst for reducing racism by contributing to organizations that fight racism. 

Christyanna Egun
Senior Director of Boston Partnerships, Equity & Inclusion, Massachusetts General Hospital

What first attracted you to YW Boston’s mission and work?
I was immediately attracted to YW Boston’s mission. How could you not gravitate to an organization that unapologetically states their goal is to empower women and eliminate racism. As a LeadBoston alumna (2010)  I think the YW Boston’s ability to bring leaders together from diverse industries for the sole purpose to discuss and experience how systemic social and racial injustices are indeed pervasive in our “blue bubble” becomes a powerful eye-opener and motivator for change. 

Why is nonprofit giving important to you?
Nonprofit organizations not only need people to roll up their sleeves and work, but through our financial support organizations are able to build greater capacity that ultimately allows them to support more people and programs and have created a deeper impact in all communities.  

If you were introducing YW Boston to a friend, why would you recommend they support our mission?
I would recommend supporting the YW Boston because we don’t live in a post-racial society that celebrates and honors people of color or yet fully regards women as true equals.

Liz Stanfield
Former Program Manager at the Letters Foundation

What first attracted you to YW Boston’s mission and work?
I first heard about YW Boston when I was invited by a colleague to attend the Elevating Lives series in fall/winter 2018. I was really impressed with the series, and YW Boston’s powerful, intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women really stood out to me. I was eager to support the mission in any way that I could because the organization was tackling such pervasive, significant issues in my home city, and I struggled to find other nonprofits that were addressing racism and sexism as effectively.  

Why is it important to you to support YW Boston’s work as a recurring donor?
I’ve learned from my experience at Letters Foundation that there are always limits to what one-time grants can achieve. Racism cannot be eliminated overnight, nor can sexism, so I believe it’s important that I commit to addressing both long-term by meaningfully offering my time and resources on a regular basis. Although I wish I could become a recurring donor at all of the organizations doing anti-racism work, I knew I wanted to become a recurring donor at YW Boston because the organization is so good at what they do, and they are rooted in my home city. (Plus, I have benefitted so much from attending Elevating Lives and other events over the years!)

If you were introducing YW Boston to a friend, why would you recommend they support our mission?
Absolutely. I would especially encourage my fellow white women, especially those from Greater Boston, to support YW Boston’s critical work to eliminate racism and empower women. I hope others will join me as a recurring donor! 

Deb Taft & Terri Rutter
Chief Executive Officer, Lindauer & Senior Consultant, Lindauer

What first attracted you to YW Boston’s mission and work?
YW Boston walks the walk of eliminating racism and empowering women. We could see it and feel it. When we returned to Boston from years in New York and Chicago, YW Boston was one of the first major nonprofit connections that we re-established personally. And Lois Lindauer was a longtime YW Boston champion, so our present-day company, Lindauer, proudly continues that tradition. YW Boston is a family and a company commitment.

Why is nonprofit giving important to you?
Nonprofits have been our life’s work and we believe giving is vital; giving actively creates the society we envision. We think hard about the organizations we support each year, and year-after-year. The nonprofit must live its values, actively combat racism and advance equality, and ensure proximate voices are present in decision-making. Governance must be strong, effective leaders and financial practices in place, and meaningful community impact occurring.

Why is it important to you to support YW Boston’s work as a recurring donor?
Leadership matters, including in giving. We make YW Boston one of our top annual giving priorities because we want to show our support and invite others to join us. We also want to hear about real challenges and real work as the year unfolds, not to be bystanders, but to have active knowledge and engagement. We count ourselves grateful to be a part of this community.

If you were introducing YW Boston to a friend, why would you recommend they support our mission?
YW Boston’s social justice, leadership development, anti-racism, and equity work is first-rate. We can see and feel the organization’s impact every day – as it develops bold leaders, ensures that organizations transform their cultures and their futures, and actively creates collective progress. We can assure you that your gifts will be well deployed under Beth Chandler’s expert leadership, supported by a talented team and a strong governing Board. We urge you to join us and experience YW Boston for yourself!

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We thank our everyone who has contributed to YW Boston in 2020! Through this difficult year, your support has kept us strong and effective in our work toward racial and gender equity.

If you haven’t already, please consider making a recurring or Persimmon Society donation to YW Boston by the end of the year.

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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 F.Y.R.E. Initiative, 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. 

As part of that work, we are helping organizations prioritize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and become socially connected while staying physically distant. During this time, YW Boston is providing organizations with digital workshops and resources to help them better understand the challenges faced by their employees. For more information, please contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org.