Advocacy Agenda

With the help of our board of trustees, YWCA Columbus has adopted a courageous advocacy and engagement agenda, because we know that programming alone is not enough; we need policy changes to help us fulfill our mission now and long-term. Our agenda includes increasing the number of affordable housing units and programs that stabilize households, removing the barriers that racism and inequity create, increasing economic mobility for women and people of color, and investing in young women and children.

  • Social Justice/Eliminating Racism

    Eliminating Racism

    YWCA Columbus pursues policies that would retract systemic racism and affirm the needs and desires of marginalized communities to thrive.

  • Empowering Women

    Empowering Women

    YWCA Columbus pursues policies that retract sexist and patriarchal norms and that affirm women’s rights to autonomy, belonging, and self-governance.

  • Housing Justice

    Housing Justice

    Housing justice means equitable access, prevention of physical and cultural displacement, and continued sustainability of housing equity for all.

  • Youth Development

    Youth Development

    YWCA Columbus pursues policies that systemically support childcare workers, increase access to safe, holistic, and culturally competent childcare, and promote whole-child wellbeing.


Show Up and Speak Up

At YWCA Columbus we truly believe that we all have to speak up and show up. We must act boldly and confront big problems so that we can build a more equitable community—changing policy not just delivering programs. We need you to be with us to fight for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Learn more about YWCA USA’s Advocacy Agenda!


YWCA Columbus Advocacy Committee

Erika Clark Jones, Chair
ADAMH Board of Franklin County

Shawna Davis
OhioHealth

Aneca Lasley
Ice Miller LLP

Jillian Olinger
The Community Builders, Inc.

Keena Smith
The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity

Gregory Lestini
Bricker Graydon

Cassi Baker
Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Autumn Glover
AndHealth

Kyle Strickland
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University