News / Blog

women's alliance

International Women’s Day: The Numbers Tell the Story

March 7, 2022

  International Women’s Day:  The Numbers Tell the Story It is well documented that when women share parity with men, their families are healthier, their…

19th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show

February 28, 2022

  Thank you to all who attended and supported the 19th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show. The night was a great success! Thank you to…

accept the challenge april 4 2022

Stand Against Racism Challenge 2022: Registration Open

February 22, 2022

The Stand Against Racism Challenge launches April 4th but you can register today! Whether this is your first step to racial equity, or you are…

Watch a Recording of Black in Business: HERstory

February 17, 2022

  Our Executive Director, Gail Fortes, was featured in BuyBlackNB’s last Black in Business: HERstory event on February 16, 2022. This month’s theme was Women…

jane gonsalves at podium

Details from the 2021 Annual Meeting

December 3, 2021

Thank you to our board, our staff and volunteers, and everyone who attended our 2021 Annual Meeting last night! 2021 Board of Directors YWCA Staff…

Watch our 2021 Annual Video

December 3, 2021

Click here to watch our Annual Video and to learn about the work the YWCA has done over the last year.

standard times website with a blue pink and white flag

YWCA’S REDI Facilitators Interviewed by The Standard Times

December 3, 2021

Director of Mission impact, Raelyn Monteiro and Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Facilitator, Cullen Mulrooney spoke with the The Standard Times about our LGBTQ+ support…

annual appeal

Support the 2021-2022 Annual Fund

November 30, 2021

Give Here To say that the last year has been one of uncertainty may feel like an understatement. One thing that has remained certain has…

Celebrating our 2021 Women of Distinction Awardees

November 19, 2021

Congratulations to our 2021 Women of Distinction Awardees!     They’re women who have made their mark in a variety of Southcoast arenas and YWCA…

Nominate a Woman of Distinction Today!

August 3, 2021

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…

“The journey to equity is hard. Start by looking within.” Essay Published by Gail Fortes, Executive Director

July 22, 2021

Essay: The journey to equity is hard. Start by looking within. Efforts must be authentic, intentional and purposeful By Gail Fortes July 22, 2021 When…

Gail Fortes Featured on New Bedford Cable Access “In Conversation With…” hosted by Jim Marshall

July 6, 2021

March, 2021 — In this episode of “A Conversation With…” host Jim Marshall speaks with Gail Fortes, the ExecutiveDirector of the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts…

Girls Exclusive Summer 2021 Now Accepting Applications!

June 9, 2021

Girls Exclusive is a high-quality afterschool & summer program for girls ages 10-14 in Southeastern Massachusetts. The goal of the program is to empower girls…

YWCA SEMA Launches Vaccine Education & Outreach Project!

May 25, 2021

Thanks to funding from the Health Resources in Action Massachusetts COVID-19 Community Grants, YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts will begin a seven-month pilot project, YWCA COVID-19 Relief…

Together, We Can Dismantle Racism

May 25, 2021

One Year Later: How Far Have We Actually Come? On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was convicted of third-degree murder, second-degree unintentional murder, and second-degree…

Adopt a Brick this Mother’s Day!

April 29, 2021

Looking for a meaningful way to honor a loved one this mother’s day? For $100, you can Adopt a Brick, engraved with your loved one’s…

YWCA SEMA Launches Economic Empowerment Series: Practical Digital Skills and Digital Literacy during COVID-19

March 5, 2021

Economic Empowerment Series: Practical Digital Skills and Digital Literacy during COVID-19 Alternating Wednesdays on Zoom @ 6:00 pm Register at the links below! Questions? Contact…

Three Ways That You Can Effect Change Today!

February 23, 2021

The YWCA remains at the forefront of addressing issues of racial and gender inequities. We are a member of a regional and national movement working…

YWCA SEMA partners with New Bedford Creative for “Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice”

January 29, 2021

Are you an artist, creative, culture bearer, cultural organizer, or community-based collaborator living or working in New Bedford? New Bedford Creative, in partnership with YWCA…

Watch the YWCA’s 18th Annual Red Dress (Virtual) Fashion Show!

January 27, 2021

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts hosted its 18th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Even though we could not be…