Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | February 6, 2023 | wbjournal.com BY KEVIN KOCZWARA WBJ Staff Writer O n Nov. 8, Robyn Kennedy defeated Lisa Mair in the race for the vacant Massa- chusetts state senator seat. Harriette Chandler had held the position representing Worcester since 1991 – nine terms. Kennedy has a strong background in local politics, starting in the early 2000s as an intern for U.S Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester). But another note in Kennedy's long resume has become com- monplace among women in positions of power and influence in the city. She'd served on the board and worked for YWCA Central Massachusetts. YWCA on Salem Street in Worces- ter has made it its mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Started in 1853, the Worces- ter branch can now count not only Kennedy but members of the city's school com- mittee and city council as former board members. It's become a launching pad. "A lot of women, through leadership development and through the support at the YWCA, we see that we have a huge role to play when it comes to being at the decision-making table at different levels, whether it is city council, school committee, legislative offices," Kennedy said. "at is where some of the inspira- tion to run for those seats [comes from] so that we are at the table helping, with the experience we have doing the work, make the change that is needed." YWCA was founded by 14 women with the objective of promoting "the temporal, moral and religious welfare of young women who are dependent on their own exertions for support," accord- ing to its website. Originally, the YWCA provided housing to women moving to Worcester to work in the mills. e non- profit still provides housing today. at moral compass has expanded through the years, and the mission grown out of those beginnings is what has set it apart and brought powerful women through its ranks. When now YWCA CEO Deborah Hall came to Worcester from Kansas City, Missouri, she sought out a place where she could get involved. Someone told her to reach out to Linda Cavaioli and the YW. It's a common refrain for women. "is YW is just an iconic place in Worcester," Hall said. "e women that have been through here have been an intregral part of the community. ey are trying to make the community the best it can be." Hall had risen to be the YW's director of domestic violence services when in May 2021 the board tabbed her to take over for Cavaioli. Empowering women, eliminating racism Cavaioli spent 29 years as the YWCA's executive director. She led the institution from 1992 to her retirement in 2021 and helped shape the board by inviting on people like Hall, now City Councilor Etel PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Launching pad Fueled by social justice, YWCA Central Mass. has become a training ground for political involvement F O C U S W O M E N I N L E A D E R S H I P YWCA Central Mass., by the numbers Voting members in governing body: 26 Employees: 335 Volunteers: 200 Annual contributions and grants: $2.4 million Annual revenue: $10.1 million Total assets: $23.4 million Note: Financial information is from the YWCA's 2020 filing with the Internal Revenue Service, the most recent year available. Source: Guidestar.org State Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester) (From left) YWCA Board President Christie Bik, CEO Deborah Hall, and Board member Kayanna James, co-chair of its Public Policy Committee

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