Advocate. Educate. Make A Difference.

Advocacy ↘

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We’ve been at the forefront of the biggest issues of the day for 160 years: from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, and from violence prevention, to health care reform. We carry on this long tradition of social action and advocacy to advance our mission — and you are a crucial part of this work. Your voice is critical as we advocate for policies that bring us closer to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Community Advocacy Partners ↘

YWCA CAP will work to advance issues important to our community by:

  • Hosting nonpartisan voting activities to register, inform, and mobilize voters.

  • Collaborating with organizations that are already working on similar advocacy initiatives for a larger impact.

  • Sharing resources, best practices, successes, and challenges in undertaking advocacy activities.

YWCA CAP will also participate in local, state, and federal advocacy actions to advance policy that benefits women, people of color, and other marginalized groups. We want local organizations that are deeply committed to working for democracy and equity for all to join us in our efforts.

Resources & Education

Get Out To Vote (GOTV) ↘

Our elections will set the tone of the nation for years to come. This is your voice. Your vote. Your future.

Action Plan

STEP 1: Register to Vote!

YWCA USA has partnered with When We All Vote to make registering to vote and encouraging others to register as easy as possible. Just click here to get started!

Tip: When We All Vote and YWCA USA want to make spreading the word and encouraging others to vote as easy as possible: Post this printable flier in public spaces to encourage others to be sure they’ve registered.

If you’re already registered to vote, you’ll need to check your voter registration to confirm it is still active. Make sure to update your registration if you’ve moved or your name has changed since you last voted.

STEP 2: Get to know the Election Process in your state.

Check your state or local election office’s website to find registration deadlines and early voting information, to request an absentee ballot.

Tip: Make sure you’re up to speed with the rules and requirements for your state (remember: they may have changed since the last time you voted!.

STEP 3: Make your plan on how and when you’ll vote!

Will you be voting early in person? By mail? On Election Day? If you’re voting in person, do you know how you’ll get there?

Tips: If you need help getting a ride to the polls, campaign offices in your neighborhood may be able to help!  Consider adding reminders of upcoming deadlines to your calendar!

STEP 4: Spread the Word!

Share the GOTV tools and resources above with everyone you know digitally, through social media, text, or email, and use the hashtag #YWomenVote to amplify your efforts!

Consider contacting your neighbors to share the tools above, joining phone or text banking efforts, or printing and posting the resources, like this flyer,  in well-frequented places such as your local library, laundromats, or grocery stores — it’s time to get creative!

Together we can help build political power in our communities and make sure women get to the polls and that our experiences and needs are valued, represented, and made a priority to those we elect to public office.
This is your voice. Your vote. Your future. #YWomenVote!

Want to Get More Involved?

We always welcome new collaborations, donation drives, and volunteers. See how you could get more involved in our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and providing dignity for all.

YWCA Policy Priorities ↘

Racial Justice & Civil Rights

End Racial Profiling and Criminalization of People of Color

We must eliminate policies and practices, like racial profiling, that criminalize people of color and other marginalized communities.

Support Girls of Color Who Are Trauma Survivors

Girls of color who have experienced trauma must have improved access to community resources for trauma survivors, including in the education and juvenile justice systems.

Support the United Nation’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Goals

We will work together with our global sisterhood of YWCAs to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere and ensure women and girls’ full and effective leadership participation at all levels of political, economic, and public life.

Empowerment & Economic Advancement

Improve Women’s Economic Security by Expanding Access to Sick, Safe, and Family Leave

Women should never have to choose between their job and their health or loved ones. Every worker deserves job-protected safe leave and paid sick and family leaves.

Remove Childcare and Housing Barriers to Women’s Workplace Participation

Improving access to quality affordable childcare and housing helps promote successful workplace participation for women, especially women of color.

Health & Safety

Promote Federal Legislation to Support Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

We will strengthen federal legislation that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Improve Maternal Health Outcomes for Women of Color

We must address racial health disparities by reducing maternal mortality rates and improving maternal health outcomes for women of color.

Ensure Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care for Women and Girls

The healthcare infrastructure currently provided by the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, state health insurance programs, and reproductive health service providers must remain strong and viable in order to support women and families.