The YWCA of the City of New York was the nation’s first YWCA and now serves 2,500 families in the five boroughs. Since joining the organization in 2012, President and CEO and one time CEO of Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF), Danielle Moss Lee has promoted and expanded its social justice advocacy for women and girls. Recently, she co-chaired the New York City Council’s Young Women’s Initiative, an effort to remove the systemic barriers to achievement that disproportionately affect young women of color.
How is the YWCA of New York City distinct from the national YWCA?
All YWCAs have the same mission: eliminating racism and empowering women. We are wholly focused on developing women and girls from all walks of life here in the New York City area.
How do you interpret the mission within the context of New York City?
We believe the work we do to develop teen girls and young women ages 21 to 35, and the child care programs we offer that make it possible for working families to know their kids are safe, are vital.
In what ways would you like to see the YWCA evolve?
Historically, the YWCA has been an all-encompassing organization for women. The piece that’s been missing has been extending that reach to girls.
What makes the “W” in the YWCA relevant today?
… the idea that girls of color don’t also need support—whether in school, health care, the criminal justice system or the foster care system—is just not accurate.
There’s been a narrative that “the girls are OK” that the data doesn’t support. The Young Men’s Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper are necessary, but the idea that girls of color don’t also need support—whether in school, health care, the criminal justice system or the foster care system—is just not accurate.
New York has a reputation for highly segregated schools. Does the YWCA bring girls together?
The signature event among our girls initiatives is our annual Potential to Power Girls Symposium, which this year will bring together 250 girls from public, private and parochial schools. What comes out of those conversations is all the things girls have in common—all the issues they struggle with, the aspirations they share—and being able to celebrate each other in a free and nurturing environment. It’s a transformational experience for many of the girls, and not just the ones from poor backgrounds. After all, if everyone you know lives on Park Avenue, that’s an isolating experience, too.
What are some of the other programs you have launched?
I’m proud of our YW Amplifying Multiple Perspectives Leadership Program for teenage girls. We also offer free programs for high school girls interested in science, technology, engineering, art, activism and math. Our 2015 YW Geek Girls Hacker Team was the only team of high school competitors to make the final round of the New York City BigApps Competition.
A lot of people were dismayed when the YWCA sold its historic midtown headquarters in 2005 for $31.5 million. Was there fallout?
The neighborhoods we now operate in—East New York, Brownsville, Coney Island, Clinton—have pockets of real poverty that need our attention and support.
The board and executive staff at that time really struggled with how the sale would impact the community’s perception of the organization, but they saw it as an opportunity to take the mission out into communities. After all, the needs of those who live in the vicinity of 52nd Street and Lexington Avenue now are different from those who lived there in the early 1900s, when that building was built. The neighborhoods we now operate in—East New York, Brownsville, Coney Island, Clinton—have pockets of real poverty that need our attention and support.
Via source
Become a Harlem Insider!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
