Check out some of the many stories we've written about historic Black leaders (mostly women!) in our region and nationally:
- Bertha Pitts Campbell
The first Black woman to exercise the right to vote on YWCA's board - Madame Luella Boyer
Everett’s first Black female business owner - Corrine Carter
Seattle’s first Black policewoman, and one of the two first black policewomen in the country - Stormé DeLaverie
The Black lesbian who played a crucial role at the Stonewall Uprising - Dorothy Hollingsworth
The first Black woman school board member in Washington State - Florise Spearmen & Dorothy West Williams
Previously trained at YWCA, they became Boeing's first Black employees - Phillis Wheatley
The first Black woman to publish a book in America - Dr. Carter G. Woodson
The founder of Black History Month - Gertrude Harvey Wright & Ruby Bishop
The Black women and musician union members who helped save jazz in Seattle - Women of the Civil Rights Movement
A resource list spotlighting the critical (and often overlooked) role of BIPOC women in the civil rights movement
Here are some of the current Black leaders creating change in our community today:
- Ijeoma Oluo
Author, New York Times best-seller, and 2021 Stand Against Racism keynote - Dr. Sharon Knight
Race and social justice activist with expertise in culturally responsible leadership and pedagogy - Maya Manus
Advocacy Organizer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle & co-Chair of YWCA's Public Policy Committee - Michele Andrasik & Joycelyn Thomas
Doctors addressing health inequities among BIPOC, gender, and sexual minority communities - Stacey Abrams
Lawyer, voting rights activist, author, and our 2021 Inspire Luncheon keynote - Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
First Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States - Marcus Harrison Green
Publisher of the South Seattle Emerald, a columnist with the Seattle Times, and 2022 Stand Against Racism panelist - Dominique Dawes
Olympic gold medalist and Winning Within keynote - Anita Hill
Women's rights advocate, educator, acclaimed author, and 2022 Inspire Luncheon keynote
Help support Black community members today who are boldly making changes in their own lives and the lives of others. View our Legislative Agenda for 2023 for policies that support Black women and families.
Save the date for our Stand Against Racism Town Hall event on May 5, 2023. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, ONWARD, to find out when registration is live.
Annalee Schafranek is the Marketing & Editorial Director at YWCA. She contributes agency news, press releases, and media coverage to the website. Annalee’s educational and professional experience has always focused on the place where gender equity and media meet.
We share the stories of our program participants, programs, and staff, as well as news about the agency and what’s happening in our King and Snohomish community.
