August is an important month for women’s rights. On August 26th, we celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, and August 6th was the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Suffragists fought for over 70 years to add the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave many women in the United States the right to vote. However, enfranchisement for women of color and women who were not considered citizens (such as Native Americans) was not secured until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
At YWCA Northeast Indiana, we recognize the importance of women having the right to vote and making themselves heard at the table. Our mission focuses on empowering women and eliminating racism. We carry out this mission by serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence, chemical dependencies, and sexual assault in six northeastern Indiana counties. YWCA NEIN also offers educational programming about diversity and healthy relationships, operates a boutique that suits underprivileged women for job interviews, and leads racial justice initiatives.
In this issue, we give kudos to Jennifer Rohlf, Director of Empowerment at YWCA Northeast Indiana, on her Vitality Award nomination. She has spent many years developing programs and initiatives to meet the needs of our community. Highlighted below is one of the programs she oversees – Community Education. Congrats Jennifer!!
We also want to recognize the founders of AVOW (Advancing Voices of Women): Rachel Tobin-Smith, Marilyn Moran-Townsend, Patti Hays, and Faith Van Gilder. These women, and those that partner with AVOW, serve as extraordinary role models and advocates for the empowerment of women. Please take a moment to learn more about these remarkable women!
Our featured empowering leader is Corinna Ladd, PNC’s Regional President for Northern Indiana. Corinna is devoted to nurturing important relationships in her life and considers relationships to be at the core of who she is. Corinna values her friends, family, and colleagues. One relationship that shaped her throughout her life was her relationship with her parents. Corinna credits her parents with instilling in her the dedicated work ethic that has helped her achieve success. Click on the Empowering Leaders video below to learn more about Corinna Ladd!
Regardless of gender, we all understand the importance of women’s voices being heard, an opportunity made possible from the sweat and tears shed by countless advocates throughout the years. YWCA NEIN meets women in crisis and helps them move to a place of self-sufficiency and being able to speak for themselves. Today, I ask for your support in honor of Women’s Equality Day and all the work that has been done to empower women and eliminate racism, before and after the passage of the 19th Amendment and Voting Rights Act. Please visit our website the week of August 26th to read a series of articles provided by community members. We ask that you also introduce others to our blog series. Together, we are making a difference.
Thank you for supporting YWCA Northeast Indiana!
Community Education
Jennifer Rohlf, Director of Empowerment for YWCA Northeast Indiana, works to uphold our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through overseeing many of the YWCA’s programs, including Success Services, Community Education, Dress for Success, and the Goldstein Family Scholarship
Our Community Education program offers prevention presentations, trainings, and awareness initiatives. For a listing of these presentations, visit https://ywcanein.com/education-services
Jennifer Rohlf, Director of Empowerment, YWCA Northeast Indiana
Recently nominated for McMillen Health’s 2020 Vitality Award in the area of education, Jennifer shares how “working with youth and educating them on topics of relationships, respect, abuse, and boundaries is a passion of mine and something that brought me to the YWCA. It is so rewarding to see that light bulb moment happen or to be there to build up a youth’s confidence to know their worth. Education is so powerful and the more we can teach our community to love and respect themselves and others, the better off we will be.”
McMillen Health’s Vitality Awards honor businesses and individuals dedicated to creating a vital, healthy community. Businesses, professionals, and volunteers who make a difference through healthcare, health education, wellness, and prevention will be recognized for their efforts to make an impact in our community.
Congratulations Jennifer! You are an asset to our Northeast Indiana community!
Advancing Voices of Women
The mission of AVOW is to Advance Voices of Women in public life, the community square, and civil conversations. AVOW educates women about participating in public life and running for office through the Paul Helmke School for Women in Public Life. AVOW also hosts Civil Conversations, where women come together to discuss community and nation-wide issues.
Additionally, AVOW promotes women’s voices through a weekly column in the Journal Gazette that publishes well-researched opinions by women on crucial topics.
YWCA Northeast Indiana is proud to partner with AVOW on our week-long blog series in honor of Women’s Equality Day. Please visit https://ywcanein.com/resources/news starting August 24th to read what these remarkable women have to say! Also, look for other community guest posts! Who will they be?!? You have to visit YWCA Northeast Indiana’s website to find out!
Circle Luncheon 2020 is going VIRTUAL
YWCA Northeast Indiana’s 24th Annual Circle event is going virtual, and it will be an experience like none other! This year’s Circle features magical characters, a powerful message, and an immersive journey down the yellow brick road that you will not want to miss!
Circle is our signature fundraising event held to support YWCA Northeast Indiana’s growing domestic violence services and programs. Though it will be a virtual event, we hope you will join us this year at our 24th annual Circle!
“August 26th is Women’s Equality Day, and as I recognize the freedoms for women that have since occurred as a result of the 19th amendment, I recognize that being featured in YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Empowering Leaders series is a reality made possible partially by the women who fought for equality before me.” -Corinna Ladd
Featured in this month’s Empowering Leaders Video Series is Corinna Ladd, Regional President of Northern Indiana for PNC Bank. Learn more about Corinna here.
Thank you to Corinna Ladd for being our featured empowering leader! We are also thankful to our corporate partner, Fort Wayne Metals, for sponsoring this initiative.
Text “BUTTERFLY” to 260.217.4548 to Donate
At YWCA Northeast Indiana, we recognize the importance of women having the right to vote and making themselves heard at the table. We strive to continue to empower women and eliminate racism.
No matter your gender, we all can understand the importance of women’s voices being heard. YWCA NEIN meets women in crisis and helps them move to a place of self-sufficiency and being able to speak for themselves. Today, I ask for your support in honor of Women’s Equality Day and all the work that has been done to empower women and eliminate racism, before and after the passage of the 19th Amendment and Voting Rights Act. Your voice is powerful, and so is your financial gift.
Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. If you would like to give to YWCA Northeast Indiana, and would like to give by credit card, text BUTTERLY to (260) 217-4548. Or, you can visit www.ywcanein.com/donate.
Thank you for supporting YWCA Northeast Indiana!