Women's History Month 2024
YWCA Lincoln firmly believes that the world is a better place because of women.
Due to the contributions of women who have acted as trailblazers and advocated for change, we are now living in an era of self-definition, empowering agency, and enormous progress. Although much work remains to ensure true gender equality, the progress we have made is largely due to the women who have fought and continue to fight for equal rights, equal pay, equal education, and equal opportunity. Every day, women get up and do the work to take care of their families, put food on the table, advocate for reproductive freedom and pay equity, break barriers in the workplace, show up at the ballot box, and so much more. Thanks to the work of women, we are all better off.
In order to show our gratitude and give thanks to heroic women throughout history, we are dedicating a true changemaker to each day of Women's History Month. Along with these daily spotlights, we are looking for support from our community in order to keep providing programming and services that give young women opportunities to become tomorrow's leaders!
(March 1st, we are looking for 1 donor. March 2nd we are looking for 2 donors, etc.)
Your support drives necessary change within the community and makes a lasting impact!
March 1st
Dorothy Height, a towering figure in the civil rights movement, focused on women's issues and worked tirelessly to advance gender and racial equality.
Today, our goal is to achieve one 20$ donation in the name of Dorothy Height! Click Here to Donate!
March 2nd
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately known as the "Notorious RBG," was a pioneering Supreme Court Justice who tirelessly advocated for gender equality and women's rights.
Today, our goal is to achieve two $20 donations in the name of RBG! Click Here to Donate!
March 3rd
Ida B. Wells, a fearless journalist and civil rights activist, exposed the horrors of lynching and fought relentlessly against racial injustice.
Today, our goal is to achieve three $20 donations in the name of Ida B. Wells! Click Here to Donate!
March 4th
Zitkala-Sa, a Native American writer, musician, and activist, was a leading voice for Native American rights and cultural preservation.
Today, our goal is to achieve four $20 donations in the name of Zitkala-Sa! Click Here to Donate!
March 5th
Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, founded a school for African-American girls and became a key advisor to several U.S. presidents.
March 6th
Dorothea Lange, a pioneering documentary photographer, captured the hardships of the Great Depression, including her iconic "Migrant Mother" photograph.
Today, our goal is to achieve six $20 donations in the name of Dorothea Lange! Click Here to Donate!
March 7th
Eleanor Roosevelt, a formidable advocate for human rights and the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, played a crucial role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
March 8th
Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," used her powerful voice to address social issues and inspire millions worldwide.
March 9th
Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and civil rights activist, co-founded the United Farm Workers union and fought tirelessly for the rights of agricultural workers, especially Latinos.
March 10th
Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender activist and key figure in the Stonewall uprising, advocated tirelessly for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
March 11th
Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to Congress and co-author of the Title IX legislation, championed gender equality and education reform.
March 12th
Judith Heumann, a disability rights activist, led a landmark protest against discrimination, paving the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
March 13th
Michelle Obama, a lawyer, writer, and former First Lady of the United States, focused on education, health, and military families during her time in the White House.
March 14th
Tu Youyou, a Chinese pharmaceutical chemist, discovered the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, saving millions of lives worldwide.
Today, our goal is to achieve fourteen $20 donations in the name of Tu Youyou! Click Here to Donate!
March 15th
Bell Hooks, a renowned feminist author and social activist, challenged conventional notions of race, gender, and class in her writings.
Today, our goal is to achieve fifteen $20 donations in the name of Bell Hooks! Click Here to Donate!
March 16th
Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and political activist, founded the Green Belt Movement and became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
March 17th
Khalidah S. is a member of YWCA Youth Development program: CATCH
This program focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to become more aware of their capabilities. CATCH thrives to teach skills and create an environment that will support exploration of sense of self and build meaningful connections to community.
Today, our goal is to achieve seventeen $20 donations in the name of Khalidah! Click Here to Donate!
March 18th
Amanda Gorman is a groundbreaking poet and activist known for her powerful performances, notably delivering her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the 2021 presidential inauguration. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Gorman was also the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate.
March 19th
Keely M. is a member of YWCA Youth Development program: CATCH
This program focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to become more aware of their capabilities. CATCH thrives to teach skills and create an environment that will support exploration of sense of self and build meaningful connections to community.
Today, our goal is to achieve nineteen $20 donations in the name of Keely! Click Here to Donate!
March 20th
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who gained global attention for her youth-led climate strikes and impassioned speeches demanding urgent action on climate change. She has inspired millions worldwide to take a stand against environmental degradation and advocate for sustainable policies to protect our planet's future.
March 21st
Jennifer G. is a member of YWCA Youth Development program: CATCH
This program focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to become more aware of their capabilities. CATCH thrives to teach skills and create an environment that will support exploration of sense of self and build meaningful connections to community.
March 22nd
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for girls' education who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. She became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate for her advocacy work. Malala's courage and resilience have inspired millions globally, highlighting the importance of education as a fundamental right and advocating for the empowerment of girls worldwide.
March 23rd
Megan H. is a member of YWCA Youth Development program: CATCH
This program focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to become more aware of their capabilities. CATCH thrives to teach skills and create an environment that will support exploration of sense of self and build meaningful connections to community.
Today, our goal is to achieve twenty-three $20 donations in the name of Megan! Click Here to Donate!
March 24th
Aya is a member of YWCA Youth Development program: CATCH
This program focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to become more aware of their capabilities. CATCH thrives to teach skills and create an environment that will support exploration of sense of self and build meaningful connections to community.
Today, our goal is to achieve twenty-four $20 donations in the name of Maya! Click Here to Donate!
March 25th
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird is the current mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, previously a member of the Lincoln City Council. She is known for her focus on issues such as economic development, public safety, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. She has implemented initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and enhancing quality of life in Lincoln.
March 26th
Senator Patty Pansing Brooks is the representative for the 28th district of Nebraska Legislature, encompassing portions of lancaster county. She is known for her advocacy on various issues, including criminal justice reform, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has been a vocal supporter of measures aimed at improving public safety, expanding access to healthcare, and promoting equality for all Nebraskans.
March 27th
Jan Gauger became heavily involved in politics and equality when she joined the League of Women Voters in the early '70s and went on to become the first woman in Nebraska elected as county commissioner and the first woman elected to any Lancaster County office.
March 28th
Leola Bullock was a prominent civil rights activist and community leader in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was one of the founding members of the Lincoln chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and played a significant role in advocating for racial equality and social justice in the local community. She was known for her tireless activism and commitment to creating positive change in Lincoln and beyond.
March 29th
Nancy Pelosi is an American politician serving as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since January 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has represented California's 12th congressional district since 1987. Pelosi is the first woman in U.S. history to serve as Speaker of the House and is known for her leadership and advocacy on various issues, including healthcare, environmental protection, and women's rights.
March 30th
Lilly Ledbetter is an American activist for women's equality in the workplace. She was the plaintiff in the employment discrimination case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama, helps combat pay discrimination by extending the statute of limitations for filing pay discrimination claims. Ledbetter's case and advocacy have made her a symbol of the fight for equal pay for women.
March 31st
Kamala Harris is an American politician who currently serves as the 49th Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President. Prior to her vice presidency, Harris served as a United States Senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. Throughout her career, Harris has been a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform, women's rights, and healthcare access.
