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March

As CEO of the YWCA of Minneapolis, Becky Roloff works with her staff to help young girls become the leaders of tomorrow. For over 6 years, Dexieng has been part of the YWCA's after-school youth programs focused on leadership and school success.

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Dating back to 1858, the YWCA was first formed in New York City and quickly spread to cities across the United States. The first associations were organized by women who witnessed the unhealthy and unsafe conditions and dismal pay young women faced in factory, laundry, and domestic jobs. By the late 1880s, deep-seated discrimination endured by women of color and their families led the organization to formalize efforts to address racism. Because of this history, the YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Today, you'll find the YWCA in more than 100 countries around the world, with 300 locations in the United States alone. The worldwide association connects 25 million women and girls, providing a voice to their concerns and needs. Domestic violence shelters, transitional housing, child care, breast cancer recovery groups, after-school youth development programs, fitness classes, career coaching, and job training are just some of the programs you might find at your local YWCA.

The YWCA is dedicated to the mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Since 1891, the YWCA of Minneapolis has been a leader in social change by providing vital services and programs in the Twin Cities. Today, the organization continues a tradition of social justice with a respected and remarkable reputation for delivering proven results in their work on wellness, child, and youth development, and racial justice. The YWCA of Minneapolis touches the lives of 25,000 people annually.

At the YWCA of Minneapolis, the organization is sustained through effective women's leadership. That leadership is no better demonstrated than by Becky Roloff, the chief executive officer of the YWCA of Minneapolis. Her example embodies the motto of the organization: eliminating racism; empowering women. Her friend Dexieng is part of an after-school youth development program typical of the many YWCA of Minneapolis programs reaching more than 1,500 youth annually. This particular program helps young girls engage with school and learning, develop leadership skills, and set ambitious goals for themselves. Through YWCA programs, young girls grow into positive, ambitious women—the leaders of tomorrow.

You can learn more about the YWCA in general at www.ywca.org and the YWCA of Minneapolis in particular at www.ywca-minneapolis.org.

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