For 100 years, YWCA Boulder County has worked to eliminate racism and empower women.
This year, the nonprofit is celebrating 100 years of service and support to the people of Boulder County. The YWCA is a secular, publicly funded group welcoming people of all genders to participate in their work.
Debbie Pope, CEO of YWCA Boulder County, recalled a conversation she’d had recently, about how people often don’t hear the stories of all the work done by women in history.
“I think that even the YWCA and how little people know about our history is just a sign of those times, that it wasn’t talked about, the work that we were doing,” she said. “I think the 100th anniversary is a really important time to tell that story.”
One hundred years ago, YWCA Boulder County focused on providing safe lodging, an employment registry and assistance in finding long-term housing along with social events, classes and outings for women in Boulder County. Over the last 100 years, it has grown to the far-reaching human services provider it is today.
“So many incredible women and people before me made it possible for us to reach this milestone,” Pope said. “When I think about the barriers that women faced 100 years ago, and each decade how women created another pathway for the next generation to come, it’s really meaningful for me to be able to make sure that our community is aware of all the incredible work that’s been done in this community by the YWCA.”
The YWCA opened the first emergency drop in child care center for women and families in the 1970s, which is something they still offer today. The YWCA also focuses on leadership in the community, giving girls and women the skills, resources and support to build a career and thrive once they’re in the workforce.
The YWCA has a variety of programs today to meet the needs of the community, like an early learning program to fill the need for affordable child care, Reading to End Racism, a STEM E3 program for young girls of color to explore STEM careers and Latina Achievement Support aiding Latina high school students to build confidence and reach their goals.
Pope said looking to the future, with what is taking place right now, it’s important to recognize how important it is for voices to be heard and for the YWCA to work with the community to stand up for issues that impact everyone, from affordable, quality childcare to access to health care and safety for women and girls along with racial justice.
“We still have a long way to go in these areas, but I’m really hopeful that the role we play right now to support the next generation of young women really will help to catapult them to be able to really achieve the dreams that the women who came before me had,” Pope said.
