About YWCA Columbus
YWCA Columbus is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
We defy the status quo that puts women, people of color, and the marginalized on unequal footing. By fostering dialogue, providing practical resources, and educating our community, we promote empowerment and inclusion.
Our Pillars of Work
SOCIAL JUSTICE
We are dedicated to confronting uncomfortable truths about prejudice and poverty—because the only way to rise above our challenges is to go through them.
HOUSING
We are committed to creating a community of safety, support, and stability through emergency shelter and long-term supportive housing.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
We are committed to youth development and early childhood education so that with each new generation, we’re all braver, wiser, and kinder.
» Learn even more about our impact through these infographics
Our Senior Leadership Team
Christie Angel
President & CEO
After working in the private and public sectors of Columbus for many years, Christie joined YWCA Columbus in 2017. Her love of Columbus and desire to create environments for people to thrive is the driving force behind her leading the organization.
Email Christie
Judy Peterson
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Judy has over 20 years’ experience as an administrative leader, holding positions in higher education and non-profit management. A CPA/MBA with operational skills in the areas of accounting, human resources, technology, and facilities management.
Email Judy
Sabrina W. Horton
Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer
Sabrina has over 20 years’ experience in advancement, donor engagement and marketing providing strategic planning to secure restricted gifts for innovative, comprehensive, high-impact and measurable programmatic solutions.
email Sabrina» Click here for a staff listing
YWCA Columbus History
Since 1886, we’ve had a strong history of making incredible strides in eliminating racism and empowering women in our community.
1886 | YWCA Columbus was formed with a society of 5 women leasing a 12-room home for homeless girls.
1910 | Opened first public childcare program for working mothers in Franklin County
1915 | Organized the Girl Reserves to develop “productive and dependable young women”
1918 | Added curriculum to our childcare and became the first Kindergarten in Franklin County
1923 | Organized the Blue Triangle Branch, a center for African American women
1929 | Opened and dedicated the Griswold Memorial Building
1938 | Congratulated by the Columbus Urban League President for serving African Americans in our cafeteria
1943 | Housed relocated Japanese American women in the Griswold Building
1946 | Adopted the Interracial Charter, a landmark policy for racial justice
1952 | Fully integrated our staff, board, swimming pool, and residency
1970 | Adopted “The One Imperative, to thrust our collective power towards eliminating racism”
1974 | Mary Miller, YWCA staff member, led the way to Ohio’s ratification of the ERA from the third floor of the Griswold Building
1986 | Celebrated the first 100 years with the first Women of Achievement Event
1989 | First School Age Childcare program begins in Westerville, started serving homeless families with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, awarded first-ever HUD grant for our Women’s Residency program
1992 | First class of Bright Futures Leadership Program
1994 | Created Racial Justice Dialogues for legal professionals
2005 | YWCA Family Center opens. Started Leadership Luncheon Series, networking for professional women
2007 | Family Center awarded the Audrey Nelson Award, designating it a national model
2008 | Racial Justice Program designated by the National YWCA as a Hallmark Program
2010 | School Age Childcare program wins Educational Council Award
2017 | The grand reopening of the Griswold Building took place, after receiving a $25 million dollar renovation. The new building becomes known as The Center for Women.
2018 | Our Safe and Sound childcare program earns a record 5-star Step-up-to-Quality Rating