What's New
YWCA Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Employee Spotlight: Melinda Aponte
WE WELCOME LIGHT A PATH TO OUR FAMILY
New Fitness Classes with Instructor Sam Davis
Melinda Aponte of YWCA Asheville Named CACFP Inspire Collaboration Award Finalist
Getting Ahead, Participant Spotlight - Porshea
Continuing the Challenge - Reproductive Justice
Standing up for Young Women and Young Women of Color at the Supreme Court
Register to Vote at the YWCA - April 18th
Spring into Reading, Family Reading Night March 31st
Letter to County Commissioners from YWCA, Faith 4 Justice and Racial Justice Coalition
YWCA of Asheville is seeking a consultant who will partner in developing a business plan that redefines childcare for our community.
2021 - A year in Review
Health & Wellness Employee Spotlight - Macie Murphy
YWCA of Asheville is taking steps to redefine childcare for our community with the support of Dogwood Health Trust
*NEW COURSE* Myofascial Release Course
Virtual Tour of Service Providers | Week Without Violence - 2021
Our Programs
Free Community Class on August 10th:
What is Tai Chi and is it right for me is an introductory class that shares the health benefits of practicing Tai Chi, an explanation of Sun Style Tai Chi, and a discussion of the practice of several tai chi principles. This opportunity is helpful to anyone who has wondered if they might enjoy learning and practicing Tai Chi and wants to experience a class before enrolling in the YWCA of Asheville's 10-week Tai Chi Course that begins August 17th.
Give us a call to learn more (828) 254-7206
We are excited for our next cohort for our virtual 3-part Racial Justice Workshop beginning this Tuesday, July 19-21, from 2-3:30pm (ET)! This is an in-depth educational experience that includes context specific to Asheville's history. We only have a couple spots left for this upcoming series, so be sure to register now! Link in bio
The #SCOTUS decision to overturn #RoevWade has already taken the right to choose away from millions. @ebonikwilliams and YWCA USA COO @elisharhodes_ will discuss what the decision means for women and all people who can become pregnant, and how we can move forward in the struggle to protect #AbortionRights and reproductive health care. Join @ywcausa TOMORROW on Instagram Live at 11 a.m. ET for a conversation you don’t want to miss!
BREAKING NEWS: Today the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade and an individual's constitutional right to an abortion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
This generation will be the nation's first in almost 50 years to come of age without a constitutionally protected right to abortion, turning back the clock to a time of limited rights and opportunities that no young person in America today has ever known.
As we all continue to process this egregious decision, join advocates across the country at a rally in your community as we stand up and tell the Courts #WeWontGoBack
Link in Bio for our full statement
____
Upcoming Rallies and Protests:
Western North Carolina Rally for Reproductive Rights
Where: Rabbit Rabbit - 75 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC
When: Friday, June 24, 5PM (speakers will begin at 5:30PM)
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
.
Abort the Supreme Court
Where: Pack Square Amphitheater - 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC
When: Friday, June 24, gather at 7pm and March 8pm
Mountain Area Abortion Doula Collective
Vigil for Women’s Rights
Where: Veterans Park - 10 Veterans Park Dr, Black Mountain, NC
When: Friday, June 24, 5:30-6:30pm
.
Not in the Asheville Area? Link in Bio for search of your local events with @wewontgoback
Today is #Juneteenth! Now officially a federal holiday, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. As we celebrate this milestone for #RacialJustice in America and reflect on the progress made toward #RacialEquity, today's commemoration also calls us to consider the work that remains to create a world that is truly equitable.
Join @sistas_caring_4_sistas and @quiltedhealth for their upcoming BIPOC Birth in Asheville Community Listening Sessions.
They be at our building, 185 S. French Broad
▪️June 21, 5pm - 7pm with a focus on BIPOC community members and partners
▪️June 22, 5 pm - 7pm with a focus on all of the birth worker community
This will be an opportunity for the community to make its voice heard – raising awareness about important issues facing families here in WNC and developing support for taking action for maternal and child health. We want to hear from you, our community and see how we can work together to ignite change and potential solutions to problems facing our communities.
On #MothersDay and every day, we celebrate all the moms and mother figures who hold our families and community together.
Today, let’s rally around all parents and guardians by telling Congress to #SolveChildCare for working families.
National Birth Equity Collaborative’s 5th Annual Black Maternal Health Week deepens the national conversation about Black maternal health in the U.S. Join the conversation by visiting: https://birthequity.org/BMHW22/
#BMHW22
Although the work is far from over, we would like to give a big shoutout to the Mothering of Asheville movement and @sistas_caring_4_sistas for making huge progress in decreasing the Infant Mortality Disparity Ratio between Black and White Babies in Buncombe County!
Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health due to the many racial disparities in the healthcare system. We, the YWCA of Asheville, are committed to fighting these disparities and bring awareness to Black Maternal Health! #BMHW22
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week, which will be held from April 11-17, 2022! We at the YWCA of Asheville are uplifting @BlackMamasMatter (BMMA), an organization that focuses on Black women's scholarship, maternity care work, and advocacy across the full spectrum of sexual, maternal, and reproductive health care! Learn more at blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw #BMHW22
#WomensHistoryMonth
Who would you raise up as an Asheville woman? Swipe to see three powerful women that have paved the way for future generations of Asheville and comment below who is your outstanding woman!
Our future is,
#BetterBecauseOfHer
It takes 21 days to form a habit. We challenge you to make active antiracism a habit by accepting the Stand Against Racism Challenge. Commit to 21 days of antiracist challenges by registering now! Link in bio.
#YWCASARChallenge
The Stand Against Racism Challenge launches 10 DAYS from TODAY! Register now to join thousands of others across the country in a national antiracist movement. Link in bio
#YWCASARChallenge
#WomensHistoryMonth
In 1965, E. Thelma Caldwell became YWCA of Asheville's Executive Director. This made Thelma only the second Black YWCA Executive Director in the United States and the first in the South! Many Accomplishments were made under Thelma’s executive leadership such as; major building renovations to the South French Broad location, the launching of a school for teen moms, and the initiation of numerous childcare programs. The most significant accomplishment for Thelma was the physical integration of Black and White YWCAs. She was a visionary whose courage shepherded this monumental change right here in Asheville! We are #BetterBecauseofHer
Wondering what exactly is the Stand Against Racism Challenge? Swipe to find out! Then, click to register. Link in bio. #YWCASARChallenge
#WomensHistoryMonth
Tsai Ing-wen is the first female President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and a member of the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party. She supports disadvantaged groups, favors LGBTQ+ rights, and champions bipartisanship, labor reform, and green energy.
What can’t she do? Not only are the people of
Taiwan #BetterBecauseOfHer — we ALL are!
#EmpoweredWomen
Whether this is your first step to racial equity, or you are a social justice expert, this year’s Stand Against Racism Challenge is full of all-new, actionable steps to create change in our communities. Commit to antiracism and register for the challenge now! Link in bio.
#YWCASARChallenge
#WomensHistoryMonth
Dolores Huerta is still crushing it in her ninth decade! The labor leader and civil rights activist is proof that if you’re intent on making the world an even playing field, then nothing can slow you down.
Huerta has won the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as being the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame!
“I never felt overlooked because I didn’t expect any kind of recognition. I think that’s very typical of women.”
Dolores Huerta, you are anything but typical. We are #BetterBecauseOfHer.