YWCA South Florida

Last weekend, the YWCA South Florida board members and leadership team gathered for our Board of Directors Annual Retreat. This time was dedicated to deepening our commitment, aligning our strategies, and strengthening our bonds as a team to move our mission forward. At YWCA South Florida we believe that strong leadership is key to driving meaningful change. This retreat reinforced our dedication to leading with courage, compassion, and commitment as we continue our mission toward eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We are excited to take the strategies and insights from this summit forward, confident that they will guide us in making an even bigger impact in the months and years to come.

What do women really want in this election year? YWCA South Florida CEO and President Kerry-Ann Royes discusses the critical role women play in the upcoming election and what we can do to empower women to the polls in this op-ed from the Miami Herald. Our vote is not just a vote for ourselves. It is a vote for the collective good. Women are united around key issues that affect their lives and communities. It's time we start influencing the decisions that impact our worlds. Read more: https://bit.ly/4d0q86d

Don’t miss out on our Take Action Instagram Live Series next Tuesday, September 10 at 12:30 p.m. EST. We’ll be talking with Lili Portman, Community Engagement Coordinator at Center for Independent Living of South Florida, Inc. Center for Independent Living of South Florida empowers persons with disabilities to reach their highest level of independence and to advocate for systems of change that result in access, equality, inclusion, independence, and choice for all people with disabilities. As a proud woman with a disability, Lili's passion is educating individuals on accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring all people with disabilities know their rights and can live in a society where they have a voice. We'll discuss the obstacles people with disabilities face when voting and how we can ensure voting rights and accessibility at our polls. A vote for disability rights is a vote for other marginalized and oppressed communities. Now more than ever, we must all use our voices to make an impact.

Y Don't Women Vote? Florida's Primary Election had a historically low voter turnout, especially for women of color. YWCA South Florida President and CEO Kerry-Ann Royes joined Easy 93.1 - WFEZ Community Focus show to discuss what is keeping women away from the polls and how we can empower them to use their voices and their vote to protect their future. Listen now: https://bit.ly/4cR9Z32

At YWCA South Florida, we already knew that collectively, women hold tremendous power to affect change, and now, we have the data to back it up! Check out the new findings from the YWCA #YWomenVote survey: https://bit.ly/3Xb8TJJ Women's voices, lived experiences, and perspectives are key to creating a world that empowers women and is free from racism. Speak your truths and use your vote to pave the path towards peace, justice and equity for all.

We are thrilled to announce that registration is open for our WE360 Entrepreneurial Program, a multi-week virtual course designed specifically for women of color entrepreneurs looking to develop a solid business plan and strengthen their skills. This program helps women in business build confidence, gain valuable insight, and achieve their goals through one-on-one mentorship and comprehensive training to help them overcome barriers to starting, growing, and sustaining their businesses. Don't wait to turn your dreams into reality. Register now for our next cohort starting on September 19th at 7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/3AQauNE

This week YWCA South Florida and Global Ties Miami welcomed a group of trailblazing leaders visiting from Peru to have a discussion about how men can be effective allies in creating societies and workplaces that empower and support women. YWCA Board Member, Glenn Davis, and Vice-President of Community Programs, Jose Filpo led a conversation that discussed the benefits gender equity has on men in society and how this mindset can positively affect policies and norms both in business and in the culture at large. This was an incredible opportunity to come together and engage with these inspiring women from across the globe who are committed with us in bringing forth a more peaceful, just, and equitable world.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is looking to the future of our community and has partnered with The Women's Fund Miami-Dade’s for a collaborative and informative Virtual Town Hall to discuss how Women and Girls are represented in her proposed Miami-Dade County 2024-2025 Budget. It is so important for us to stay engaged and connect with the local leaders who are shaping the policies that affect all of our lives and futures. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3yK2XPP

Today is Women's Equality Day. It marks 104 years since the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote. This lifted barriers for many, but it still continued to exclude many Black women, Indigenous women, and women of color for years to come. As we celebrate all those who fought and continue to fight for total equity for all women and non-binary folks let us use this as a reminder not to let the work of these strong women be taken back in our country today. We must exercise our right to vote and protect the freedoms of all.

Our WE360 Program has helped some of South Florida's most talented trailblazers take their business dreams to the next level. ⠀ This includes our WE360 alum and Queenfidence Recovery Services founder, Dudley Philistin. Queenfidence Recovery Services provides its clients with trusted companionship away from home. Their services focus on personal one-on-one post-operative care in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Country. Queenfidence has a team of well-trained and dedicated caregivers who work closely with our clients for a calm, nurturing, and speedy recovery based on their individual needs and wants. "WE360 helped me grow my business by providing me with great resources and tools necessary to scale my performance as well as connecting me with such a great mentor. " - Dudley Philistin