YWCA Champaign County

08/26/2026

It is with great honor that we celebrate a successful Board Retreat and Community Luncheon. Pictured are staff, board members and community leaders!

06/29/2026

Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a celebrated Mexican painter known for her vibrant, surrealist self-portraits and deeply personal artwork. Her paintings often explored themes of identity, pain, and resilience, reflecting her own experiences with health struggles and emotional turmoil. Kahlo’s distinctive style combined elements of Mexican folk art with modernist techniques, making her an iconic figure in art history. Beyond her artistic legacy, she is celebrated as a symbol of strength, individuality, and cultural pride.

06/29/2026

Today, we celebrate Frida Kahlo as part of Pride Month. An iconic artist and bisexual woman, Frida challenged gender norms and expressed her authentic self through her powerful artwork. Her legacy inspires us to embrace our identity and celebrate love in all its forms. Happy Pride Month! 🌈🎨

06/22/2026

Pride Month Spotlight Post 🌈

Audre Lorde (1934 –1992) was a renowned Caribbean-American writer, poet, feminist, and activist. She dedicated her life to exploring issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social justice through her powerful poetry, essays, and speeches. As a self-described "black, le***an, mother, warrior, poet," Lorde's work challenged societal norms and advocated for intersectional activism. Her contributions have profoundly influenced feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and writers worldwide.

06/22/2026

Today, we are celebrating Audre Lorde as part of Pride Month. She was a le***an feminist, poet, and activist who used her voice to fight against racism, sexism, and homophobia. Her legacy reminds us to stand tall in our truth and advocate for justice and equality for all. Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

06/19/2026

This Juneteenth, we celebrate Opal Lee—the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”—whose decades of advocacy helped turn a day of remembrance into a national movement for freedom.
Her work reminds us: freedom is not just remembered; it must be advanced.
At YWCA USA, we remain on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women every day.
Watch her story: https://www.history.com/videos/opal-lee-and-the-fight-for-juneteenth

06/19/2026

marks the day freedom reached those who had long been denied it—and reminds us how far we still must go.
At YWCA USA, our commitment to eliminating racism is not symbolic—it’s constant, urgent, and actionable. Today, we honor Black liberation, confront injustice, and recommit to building a future rooted in equity and dignity for all.

06/19/2026

Today is Juneteenth, a national holiday where we come together as a country to celebrate justice and freedom. This date in 1865 celebrates the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery when the Union Army entered Galveston, Texas to announce that all enslaved people were free. Learn more about the day here: https://bit.ly/4edcSj3

06/16/2026

Pride Month invites us to honor courage.🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

At the Japanese YWCA in San Francisco, founded in 1932, visionary Issei women created a home for community care that later supported organizing for racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights. Its history connects to leaders like Bayard Rustin, whose courage as a civil rights strategist and openly gay man helped move the nation closer to justice.
This is the power of inclusive spaces—and why we honor their legacy today.
Explore the story:

The Japanese YWCA, also known as the Issei Women's Building, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. Reference number: 100004868

06/15/2026

Pride Month Spotlight Post 🌈

The Japanese YWCA building at 1830 Sutter Street in San Francisco, designed by Julia Morgan and completed in 1932, is a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. Originally established by Japanese immigrant women in 1912 to serve their community’s social and service needs, it stands as a rare symbol of Nikkei women’s struggles and achievements in the U.S. Despite segregationist policies preventing ownership, the building was funded by community efforts and donations. Throughout its history, it has played a vital role in advancing civil rights, supporting Japanese Americans during WWII, and fostering social activism, including connections to the African American civil rights and LGBTQ movements. Its architectural significance and rich history reflect the resilience and contributions of Japanese American women and the broader community.