Women's History Month
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Join us as we give a warm welcome to Women’s History Month here at the Y! The month of March is dedicated to honoring the countless women who were vital to the success and empowerment of all current and future women leaders in the Y. We celebrate those before us and our current team members every day.
What does Women’s Day mean to women here at the YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge? Our Marketing and Communication Intern from Roanoke College, Julia Needham, asked some of the women on our leadership team their thoughts!
Local Leaders:
Meet Kait Johnson, Branch Executive at the Kirk Family YMCA 
When asked what Kait thought about Women’s History Month, she shares a few thoughts connecting her inspiration as a woman in connection with the Y. Kait names a few guiding principles she has while being a woman in leadership. As she shares a quote by Dolly Parton “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else,” women in power are often painted as powerless; Kait believes that a woman should “show up every day the best version of yourself and do not apologize for it. Ever.”
Meet Rachel Leftwich, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge. 
When Rachel was asked what she thought was most important about celebrating Women’s History Month, she reflects on the progress women have made in this country. We as women have the right to vote, but we are also still fighting for better maternity leave and equal pay. She offers advice to women who are interested in the non-profit field, “Working in the non-profit world is rewarding and usually offers flexibility, which as a working Mom, is very important to me.”
Meet Kim Thomas, Vice President of Development and Advocacy for the YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge. 
What celebrating Women’s History Month looks like to Kim is honoring women who make sacrifices for others, and stay-at-home moms. She tells all about her experience as a stay-at-home mom for five years, where she has met “some of the smartest and determined women I'd ever met. They invested in their family, volunteered selfishly and tirelessly, and set strong examples for their children and the children they interacted with.”
Meet Jennie Weeks, Chief Human Resource Officer for the YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge.
"Celebrating National Women's History Month to
me means not only celebrating, but honoring the accomplishments of the many women before me who have shattered glass ceilings that have allowed me so many other women the opportunities we have today."
When asked about how her leadership position at the YMCA has empowered her, Jennie shared a great experience. "My leadership position has provided an opportunity to be a big part of the decision-making process and provide strategic input in organizational planning. I've also been given the opportunity through this position to participate in some incredible training and networking opportunities. In 2018, the YMCA of the USA had its first Women's Leadership Conference. I was supported and encouraged by our CEO to attend and that is where I learned of the Y Women's Mentoring Program. I was selected to be a part of the first round and was able to provide feedback for future mentees and mentors".
National Accomplished Women Within The Y World:
Ellen Brown
Ellen Brown was the first female YMCA employee in 1886 when she was hired to serve as the “boys' work secretary.” Brown taught a night class at the Y that grew so rapidly, it eventually became a whole department!
Winifred Colton
Fighting to improve the status of women in the YMCA, Winifred Colton began her extensive YMCA career as women’s and girls’ work secretary at the YMCA of Metro Chicago. In 1957, the YMCA's National Council’s statement of purpose no longer applied to “males only,” and Colton became the first woman professional on the national staff.
Violet P. Henry
After holding various executive leadership roles in the Newark and Chicago YMCAs, in 1976, Violet P. Henry became the first woman to be named to a top management position at the Y's national office. She provided leadership for numerous national and international commissions and committees that worked for the rights of women and people of color.
Wilhelmina “Willie” Aveling
Wilhelmina “Willie” Aveling began her YMCA career as a physical director in Atlantic City. In 1933, she joined the staff of the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA to find ways to improve programs for women and girls. For the next 28 years, she helped develop policies and recruit women leaders within the YMCA movement. She was the first woman to be inducted into the YMCA National Hall of Fame.
Suzanne McCormick
In 2021, Suzanne McCormick became the first woman to serve as CEO of the YMCA of the USA.
Here at the Y, we love and support the women in our community. Some additional resources for women in the Virginia Blue Ridge area include: