On Tuesday, November 15th, YW Boston held the 2022 Annual Meeting at The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA/Boston). Here, in addition to hearing from board members and speakers, we debuted our Annual Report and its theme “Bridging the Gap.” The evening kicked off with an hour of networking amongst dedicated staff and YW Boston supporters. Marguerite Fletcher, YW Boston’s Board Chair, gave a Call to Order and officially welcomed attendees to the event.

Jill Medvedow, Ellen Matilda Poss Director of Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, was our keynote speaker for the night. Medvedow is recognized as a national leader in the field of contemporary art and civic life. She dramatically altered the landscape of contemporary art in Boston when, in 2006, she opened the city’s first new art museum in nearly a century. During her over 20-year tenure, Medvedow established the museum’s permanent collection; developed a national model for teen arts education; and opened the ICA Watershed, transforming a condemned former copper pipe factory in East Boston into a free and open space for immersive works of art. At the Annual Meeting, her address touched on the ICA/Boston’s strategic plan and what they are doing to embrace ‘radical welcome’ practices for visitors and attendees, in addition to steps they are taking to better represents women and artists of color.

Following Jill Medvedow’s address, she participated in a fireside chat with Beth Chandler, YW Boston President & CEO, which included questions from the audience that focused on ways the museum is collaborating with other organizations to make a positive impact on communities beyond the Seaport area. When addressing the audience, Beth expressed gratitude for those in the room showing up in support of a more equitable Boston.

During our 2022 Annual Meeting, we bid farewell to two outgoing members of the board: 

• Trish Cotter, Executive Coach, Senior Lecturer, MIT Sloan Executive Education 
• Wendy Foster, Chief Family Experience Officer, Success Academy Charter Schools 

YW Boston’s Board of Directors also inducted three new board members:

• Ivy Jack, Co-Chief Investment Officer/Director of Equity Research, NorthStar Asset Management 
• Ellen LaPointe, Chief Executive Officer, Fenway Health 
• Ross Marshall, Senior Director of DEI Advocacy, MassBio 

“Today, I’m thrilled to share that we have bridged the gap between idea and impact. During the first few years of my tenure, YW Boston had decent name recognition, but few people could describe our work. Now, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion services work has grown from working with 62 organizations in 2020 to almost 90 organizations in 2022.”

Beth Chandler, YW Boston President and CEO

By partnering with YW Boston, you are helping bridge the gap toward collective action for racial and gender equity in the city of Boston. This important work must continue in 2023 in order to address deeply entrenched inequities in our communities, systems, and institutions. 

If you have not donated yet to YW Boston this year, or if you are able to increase your gift, please consider contributing to our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2022 Annual Meeting. We are grateful to our board of directors for their guidance and continued support.

Learn more about YW Boston’s impact in 2021 by reviewing our Annual Report below. 

 

About YW Boston

As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston has been at the forefront of advancing equity for over 155 years. Through our DEI and Leadership 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. 

Ready to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization? Please contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org for more information and to schedule a free consultation.