Gail Fortes Celebrates 30 Years of Service

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Gail Fortes, for 30 years of service to the YWCA and the Southeastern Massachusetts community! On Monday, members of the community came together for a surprise party to celebrate Gail and her impactful work.

Gail has served the YWCA in numerous capacities since 1994, and took the helm as Executive Director in 2006. Additionally, she has served or continues to serve on the boards of Lifestream Inc, the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford, United Front Development Corp, New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women, National Association of YWCA Executives, YWCA New England Region, Global Learning Charter Public Sch

ool, Alma del Mar Charter School, Our Sister’s School, among several others. She has hosted a program on Dartmouth Community Television “Voice of SouthCoast Women,” has been involved in countless advocacy and public policy efforts, and led the YW in opening two residential programs. She won the 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill award from the Massachusetts House of Representatives Black and Latino Caucus, 2015 Standard Times New Bedford Woman of the Year and 2016 Unsung Heroine award for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. This is just a small list of her many, many accomplishments.

Gail serves as a role model to girls and women all through the South Coast and beyond and leads with humility, compassion, and dedication. Thank you, Gail, for all you do.

See all photos and videos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBerXB