Events

Women of Distinction Tickets on Sale & Winners Announced

2024 women of distinction logoThe 2024 Women of Distinction Awards tickets are now on sale.

The event will be on October 24th at 5:30 PM at Rachel’s Lakeside.

2024 Honorees are:

Michelle Hantman
Dima Hendricks
Sandra Ledvina
Rev. Susan H. Lee, PhD
Bonnie Mello
Darlene Spencer
Barbara Garron, Yvonne M. Drayton Award
Vanessa Pereira, Spirit of Leadership Award

Congratulations to all!

Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

Digital Literacy Workshop

Financial Literacy Workshop

Women of Distinction 2023

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards inspire others to achieve by recognizing the leadership of women in a variety of areas. YWCA Women of Distinction have brought key issues facing women, girls, and people of color to the forefront. The awards recognize outstanding women in Southeastern Massachusetts whose lives and accomplishments reflect the YWCA’s Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Honorees are recognized for their exceptional commitment to improving the lives of women and girls through their leadership, advocacy, and community service while achieving success in their career fields.

Get your tickets Here!

Member Mixer Event

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 AT 5 PM At the YWCA Southeastern MA
20 South Sixth Street, New Bedford MA 02740
Drinks, raffle, speakers, hors d’oeuvres and more!
Learn about the YWCA, its Mission and Programs, and what it means to be a member.

2023 Women of Distinction Nominations

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards inspire others to achieve by recognizing the leadership of women in a variety of arenas. YWCA Women of Distinction have brought key issues facing women, girls and people of color to the forefront. The awards recognize outstanding women in Southeastern Massachusetts whose lives and accomplishments reflect the YWCA’s Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Honorees are recognized for their exceptional commitment to improving the lives of women and girls through their leadership, advocacy, and community service, while achieving success in their career fields.

To nominate a “Woman of Distinction” please complete the online form, or download and complete the application form (please type) and submit as noted below. Please be as descriptive as possible and answer each question thoroughly and concisely and include the REQUIRED attachments: magazine and/or newspaper articles, bios and/or résumés or other supporting documents. Nominations are confidential. Past nominations/nominees not selected are encouraged to be submitted again.

Nominate a woman

The deadline to nominate is 5:00 PM on August 25, 2023

Recipients will be notified by the committee after final decisions in October. Nominators will be contacted via mail. Award will be presented at our annual YWCA Women of Distinction event October 5, 2023 at 5:30PM at Rachel’s Lakeside

July Babysitting Course

20th Anniversary of the Red Dress Fashion Show

The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is holding its 20th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Century House in Acushnet. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about heart disease in women and raise funds to support our HEARTplus Program. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts.

Purchase tickets and participate in the auction at bit.ly/ywred23!

Heart Disease is the #1 killer of American women, but it does not have to be. The event will educate women about their risk of heart disease, provide them with information on how to speak with their health care provider and tell them how heart disease has affected the lives of women like them. The YWCA HEARTplus Program focuses on outreach, education, raising awareness and increasing understanding of the risks of cardiovascular disease, particularly among women of color, older women and low-income women. This program also assists women with obtaining health screenings necessary for them to identify their own personal risk.

The YWCA is an active participant in the National Heart Truth Red Dress Project. The Red Dress Project includes a collection of dresses from America’s most prestigious designers. The dresses symbolize the fact that heart disease is a women’s health issue, as well as a man’s. The YWCA Red Dress Fashion Show includes a collection of red dresses from a variety of local stores. Models for this event are recruited from the community and are reflective of the population served by the YWCA.

Free Digital Literacy Workshops

Join us for these free digital literacy workshops! Starting with google suite, we will cover Resume writing, writing cover letters, and interviewing skills. Attend all or one, the choice is up to you.

Take advantage of this opportunity and register Here.
Digital Literacy Workshop Flyer

Stand Against Racism Challenge: Debrief Session

sar challenge debrief may 3 at 12pm
The Stand Against Racism Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. We know these discussions can be difficult and can bring up powerful emotions, but your commitment to increasing your awareness is what will help move our community forward.
We’d like to invite you to a debrief session with YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts’ Executive Director, Gail Fortes.
Register now to join us May 3rd at 12pm to discuss the challenge. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share your take-aways from the challenge and process the activities.
Register here: