World YWCA Day
The theme for this year's World YWCA Day is 'LISTEN to she who speaks: Women Leading Change'. The theme builds on the Honouring Women Leaders programme launched in 2007. The Honoring Women Leaders programme invites member associations and individuals to honour women in their community and make a donation in their name. The names of the women honoured are saved in the World YWCA archive for perpetuity and the donation goes towards the Power to Change Fund —a permanent fund to build the leadership of women and girls.

This year's World YWCA Day is about telling stories—we want to put life, voice, sound, music and colour to the stories of women who have brought change to our communities and to the lives of countless women. For your Round-The-World Breakfast we invite you to express the stories of women you honoured or will honour this year.

 

Here is a selection of ten amazing women from around the world who have inspired the YWCA movement. These dynamic women come from all walks of life. They are different ages, races and religions but their dedication and commitment to women and girls equality is unwavering. Take the time to enjoy their story and honour their leadership.

Dame Barrow
27 Mar 2008 — 14:50
International Dame Nita Barrow - 'Pure Sterling'
Ruth Nita Barrow was born on November 15, 1916 in Barbados at a time when women had few opportunities. Motivated in her early years by humanitarian values, she trained as a nurse in Barbados and a health care administrator in Jamaica. She became a Public Health Advisor to the World Health Or…
HWL Samia Khoury
28 Mar 2008 — 11:31
International Samia Khoury - a woman ahead of her time
Samia is an outstanding woman leader within the Palestinian community. Her voluntary work in community organisations is marked by genuine effort and huge commitment.
WHL J Dickson
28 Mar 2008 — 11:43
International Julie Dickson - leading the way for young women
With an infectious enthusiasm for engaging and empowering women to achieve things they would never have believed possible, Julie Dickson is a dynamic role model. Julie is a natural leader and has led from a young age at every level throughout the YWCA of Great Britain.
YWCA of Myanmar Claribel Chain
31 Mar 2008 — 8:43
International Claribel Ba Maung Chain - International Peacemaker
Claribel Chain (1905-1994) from Myanmar (formerly Burma) was one of the key Asian leaders within the World YWCA.
HWL YWCA of Zambia
07 Apr 2008 — 14:07
International Inonge Mutukwa Wina - a woman leader of passion and integrity
Inonge Mutukwa Wina joined the YWCA as a young woman in 1958 when her country was still a British colony called Northern Rhodesia.
Svetlana Burova YWCA Belarus
28 Mar 2008 — 11:45
International Svetlana Burova - linking generations in Eastern Europe
Svetlana was the founder of the YWCA of Belarus. She inspired and encouraged many women to join the movement by always examplyifing her outstanding leadership abilities.
28 Mar 2008 — 11:51
International Cristina Virreyra Diez Canseco - the heart of grassroots women in Bolivia
Cristina Virreyra Diez Canseco is a true example of a grassroots woman who changes lives and changes communities. Cristina has been a member of the YWCA of La Paz in Bolivia since her adolescence.
Anita Isaacs YWCA of Namibia
28 Mar 2008 — 11:28
International Anita Isaacs - a woman changing lives and communities
Anita Isaacs is a woman living with HIV that has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of women living with HIV in Namibia.
Judith Blake YWCA of Australia
01 Apr 2008 — 6:53
International Judith Blake: a woman who thought globally and acted locally
The late Judith Blake always saw the YWCA as a membership movement which could enrich the lives of women and girls and at the heart of it all, Christian faith and values. Judith joined the YWCA of Adelaide in the finance area in 1959.
28 Mar 2008 — 11:56
International Emily Lee Fong - a woman leader across cultures
A survivor of the 1906 earthquake, Emily Lee Fong was an original member of the Chinese YWCA Board of Directors in the 1920s.
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