YWA is committed to achieving its mission with authenticity. We are determined to stay on the forefront of education surrounding diversity, equity, and belonging.
- We embrace diversity of identity and experience.
- We create spaces where members can confidently bring their whole selves.
- We strive to dismantle inequities within our systems.
YWA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Belonging
For over 28 years, the Young Women’s Alliance (YWA) has provided women in Austin with a safe space to lead, connect, and serve our community. As our organization has grown and evolved, so has our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive organization where all voices feel a sense of belonging in the YWA community.
In 2021, YWA enhanced its commitment to DEB by adding our first ever Board role dedicated to fulfilling our DEB priorities, the VP of Diversity, Equity and Belonging. The VP of DEB, along with consultant partners at Heristic, collaborated to build out our DEB vision, statement, and a 3-year strategic DEB plan. YWA’s DEB strategic plan will act as our north star and ensure that the organization is continuing to build upon the work we have already done.
As President, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role has been seeing the energy and passion behind our DEB efforts. I know that with the help of our members and community partners, YWA will continue to be an organization that welcomes and supports all humans.
With gratitude,
Lauren Kaufman
2021-2022 President
Our 3 Year Strategic DEB plan
As we work to continue our commitment to DEB, we are committed to ensuring YWA is an organization where all of our members feel a sense of belonging. Read more about the YWA Strategic Plan in our Open Letter from 2021-2022 Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Bijal Patel
Guiding Principles regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Young Women’s Alliance, YWA, is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment that respects and values diverse life challenges, creating an environment that is inclusive of all.
We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects the diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences of our members. We commit to engaging in an ongoing dialogue to thoughtfully respond to the changing realities of Austin to create a place at the table for Austinites who identify as women, and those who are trans and non-binary.
Diversity, equity, and belonging is at the forefront of our organization as we work to uplift each other and embrace our differences through the experiences we provide our members and the impact we have on the greater Austin community. We consider equity the foundation needed to ensure diversity and inclusion.
YWA strives for our membership and leadership to be more representative of the Austin-Area community that we serve.
2023 Inclusive Language Update
On Oct. 4, the YWA Board of Directors voted to update the language used to describe “women” to “women+” in our mission statement and all communications.
What does “women+” mean?
Spelling “women” with a plus sign is intentional to highlight that women+ is inclusive of different identities pertaining to gender. So, women+ entails trans women, femmes, genderfluid people, cis women, and more.
Why was this decision made?
Women-focused organizations exist to provide community and support for women due to the systemic differences that exist between genders and identities in our world today. As long as women+ are at risk of any disadvantage due to their gender identity, it makes sense for organizations such as YWA to continue to provide this support.
In that vein, YWA expanding its terminology to be inclusive of all women and gender non-confirming folks is the strategic next move to signal that YWA is a safe, welcoming community for women+.
How was this decision made?
The 2023 VP of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) Lauren Aldridge partnered with Heristic over several weeks to discuss this change. Research provided insight into other organizations’ gender-inclusive language updates, counter arguments, and alternative wording. Women+ was the most suitable option to make it clear that YWA is an inclusive organization.
The path forward
Feel free to send any feedback around this change to deb@youngwomensalliance.org. You can also use this anonymous feedback form for any feedback, suggestions, or ideas.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization where all voices feel a sense of belonging in the YWA community. We believe that making this language update will push us further in achieving our goals around inclusion.
Removing Barriers to Membership
To remove barriers and inequities to accessing the career-building opportunities that YWA offers, we currently offer reduced rate membership to assist our members with financial need and genuine barriers to access. We have always held fast to our belief that we must treat everyone respectfully and inclusively. As such, there is no application required to request the reduced rate.
DEB Resources
Books:
- The Equity Mindset, Ifeomasinachi Ike
- Think Again, Adam Grant (How to stay curious enough about the world to actually change it)
- Room at the Table, Dr. Renée Branch Canady (A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice)
- Bridging Divides, Geoffrey L. Cohen
- DEI Deconstructed, Lily Zheng
- Say More About That, Amber Cabral
- All Are Welcome, Cynthia Owyoung
- The Wake Up, Michelle Mijung Kim (Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change)
- Inclusion on Purpose, Ruchika Tulshya
Trainings:
- Board Essentials, The New Philanthropists
- Courageous Conversations, Leadership Austin
Questions? Problems? Ideas? We want to hear from you!
Contact our Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Belonging at deb@youngwomensalliance.org