YWCA Columbus Advocacy Agenda
With the help of our board of trustees, YWCA Columbus has adopted a courageous advocacy and engagement agenda, because we know that programming alone is not enough; we need policy changes to help us fulfill our mission now and over the long term. Our agenda includes increasing the number of affordable housing units and programs that stabilize households, removing the barriers that racism and inequity create, increasing economic mobility for women and people of color, and investments in young women and children. YWCA Columbus is on a mission to create systemic change.
2023-2024 Advocacy Agenda
Social Justice/Eliminating Racism
• Honesty in Ohio’s K-12 curriculum
• Equitable public safety
• Justice and equity for LGBTQ+ community
Youth Development
• Children are kindergarten-ready
• Access to high-quality before-and-after school programs
• Family representation in policies
Show Up and Speak Up
At YWCA Columbus we truly believe that we all have to speak up and show up. We must act boldly and confront big problems so that we can build a more equitable community—changing policy not just delivering programs. We need you to be with us to fight for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Learn more about YWCA USA’s Advocacy Agenda!
YWCA Columbus Advocacy Committee
Erika Clark Jones, Chair
ADAMH Board of Franklin County
Shawna Davis
OhioHealth
Aneca Lasley
Ice Miller LLP
Jillian Olinger
The Community Builders, Inc.
Keena Smith
The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity
Gregory Lestini
Bricker Graydon
Cassi Baker
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Autumn Glover
AndHealth
Kyle Strickland
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University
Linda Kanney
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Central Ohio Chapter