Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 6, 2023 | Worcester Business Journal 9 Haxhiaj, and school committee members Sue Mailman and Jermoh Kamara. Kennedy had worked at the YWCA while in college. Her sister worked in the domestic violence shelter, and Kennedy watched the children while the adults were in support groups. She stayed on aer college and worked at the shelter before turning to politics. Eventually, Cavaioli and the YW's message pulled her back in by asking her to be on the board. Kennedy eventually resigned that board position to become the YW's CFO. "For me, the mission of the YWCA is really core to my value system," said Kennedy, who resigned as CFO before she was elected state senator. "It is delib- erately eliminating racism and empow- ering women, with the understanding that until we empower all women by eliminating racism, we can't effectively empower women." at same message is what has stuck for others like Haxhiaj, who won her seat on city council in 2021. Haxhiaj spent 12 years on the YW board, and it gave her a place to grow and put action to her values. She found the YW as one of the few places enabling women to grow into leadership by putting them there, spe- cifically at a young age when they might need a push to find their voice. "ere are very few spaces where you feel you have that community of women around you, that can mentor and sup- port you," Haxhiaj said. Community is the first reason she joined, and the second was because the YWCA gave her and others a place to work on policies centering on gender and racial equity. For Mailman, she believes the YW's spirit and its dedication to not only having a board of members, but a strong one, is what makes it stand apart. e board isn't some token appointment. It's active and engaged. On the website, the board is called "Our Fearless Leaders." "e spirit of the YWCA is so inter- esting," Mailman said. "So many people right now that are elected have touched the YWCA, and I think it is a testament to the strong part of the working board [on] advocacy about domestic violence, about childcare, about women's issues, about all kinds of equity, and those are all things we're facing today." Each chapter of YWCA shares the same mission statement. ey all want to empower women. A lot of YWCA's share the same programs, but each branch is autonomous and can build its own mission. at is where the Central Massachusetts branch builds out on its goals. It's in that mission to not only be inclusive and give women a platform to succeed, but the YWCA sees itself as an all-inclusive wom- en's advocacy and resource center branching out with its collective voice to make meaning- ful change. "Where change happens is when you try to influ- ence policy, public policy. It is a kind of parallel tract of providing services and bringing together a collective voice to have an impact on policy that affects women and children," Cavaioli said. Historically, YW chapters throughout the country have been involved in their communities, Hall said, but lately the organization has been more involved in politics, such as hosting candidate fo- rums and voter registrations, while being more active on social media. "It attracts that type of energy we see in the people who come through here," Hall said. "It is rooted in social justice." WBJ Editor Brad Kane contributed to the reporting for this story. W W O M E N I N L E A D E R S H I P F O C U S 202 Brigham St., Northborough, MA • 508-393-2444 For Tee Times: www.juniperhillgc.com Juniper Hill Golf Course Celebrating 90 Years of Golf • Friendly Atmosphere • Two well groomed, established courses • No membership fee • Excellent meeting facilities • 36 Challenging Holes • Top 10 Public Golf Course in Massachusetts • Golf Teaching Center Call us at 508-351-9500 Give the gift of golf Gift certificates for golf, lunch, lessons and equipment are available in the Pro Shop 508-393-2444 Outings & Functions 3 to 300 guests in a variety of settings History of YWCA Central Massachusetts 1885 YWCA of Worcester is founded. 1886 Rents space at 352 Main St. 1890 Acquires Upham Estate 1892 Opens a boarding home 1920 Builds an activities facility with a swimming pool 1960 Builds a facility at 1 Salem Square, which is still its home today 1991 A $3-million renovation to the YWCA's Salem Square facility begins 1995 The now renamed YWCA Central Massachusetts establishes the annual Tribute to Women event. 1996 Daybreak Resources for Women & Children merges with the YWCA 2002 Begins renovations on the Eli Whitney School in Westborough 2007 Battered Women's Resources merges with the YWCA 2020 A $24-million renovation to Salem Square facility is competed. Source: YWCA Central Massachusetts Etel Haxhiaj, Worcester city councilor

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