Held annually, the Women of Achievement event acknowledges the exceptional leadership of empowered women in Alaska. Each year, ten women are selected based on their demonstrated personal and/or professional leadership… Continue Reading 2026 YWCA Alaska’s Women of Achievement Awardees Announced
When the government is functioning and the world is calm, patriotism just is. It’s easy to love your country when things are working, when institutions feel stable, and when the… Continue Reading What Does Patriotism Mean to Me? Part IV
Patriotism is not a passive trait. Our government, from its creation, never intended patriotism to be the acceptance of the status quo nor blind support for those in power. By… Continue Reading What Does Patriotism Mean to Me? Part III
As I get older, patriotism feels less like fireworks and more like reflection. As a Black woman in America, I’ve learned that loving this country means holding it accountable while… Continue Reading What Does Patriotism Mean to Me? Part II
Patriotism: love for or devotion to one’s country (Merriam-Webster) Patriotism has become such a loaded and complicated word that it bears at least a modicum of introspection into the American experiment… Continue Reading What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?
Posted to ADN on 6/29/2026 YWCA Alaska applauds Assembly Members Baldwin Day and Martinez for moving the Missing Middle Housing Overlay Project (MMHOP) forward. We also appreciate the ADN Editorial… Continue Reading A Stronger Anchorage Starts with More Places to Live
Posted to ADN May 20, 2026 In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed to provide an enforcement mechanism for the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution ensuring that… Continue Reading The Voting Rights Act: A Response to the recent Supreme Court Ruling
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell For nearly two decades, Kara Kirkpatrick has been a steady and generous force in Anchorage’s art community. Born in Anchorage and raised in Palmer,… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Kara Kirkpatrick
YWCA Alaska was given an amazing opportunity to expand programming. Then the Federal Government turned it into a nightmare. Posted Article on the YWCA Alaska LinkedIn In May 2024, I… Continue Reading YWCA Alaska Federal Funding Update
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Born and raised in the small town of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, Corrine Digiovine grew up in a place where everyone knew everyone. After attending… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Corrine Digiovine
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Some people have a presence that immediately feels grounding, warm, honest, and deeply human. That is Vonnie Gaither. A celebrated artist and community advocate,… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Vonnie Gaither
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week’s Women Who Inspire Wednesday features Alison Kear, CEO of Covenant House Alaska and 2015 recipient of YWCA Alaska’s Women of Achievement award.… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Alison Kear
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week’s Women Who Inspire Wednesday features Sharon Richard, founder of YWCA Alaska, a longtime advocate and a quiet yet powerful leader whose legacy… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Sharon Richards
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Former State Legislator & Community Leader Born in Nabesna and raised in Anchorage, Ivy Spohnholz has dedicated her life to building stronger communities across… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Ivy Spohnholz
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Co-Founder & Board Treasurer, Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance (AKEDA) Born and raised in Alaska, Beth Rose is an Alaskan through and through. She has… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Beth Rose
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2025 Contact: Jessie Lavoie, CEO – director@ywcaak.org YWCA Alaska announces 2025 Women of Achievement Awardees ### YWCA Alaska is proud to announce it’s 2025 Women… Continue Reading 2025 Women of Achievement Awardees Announcement!
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week, we are honored to spotlight Meghan Muñoz, Senior Financial Advisor at Alaska Wealth Advisors. Meghan’s journey reflects both ambition and dedication. She… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Meghan Muñoz
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Raised in Eagle River, Alaska, and born in Anchorage with roots in King Salmon, Ashley Klinger is a force of nature in the human… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Ashley Klinger
At YWCA Alaska we are on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. That is why we must call out the… Continue Reading Increase in White Supremacy, NOT in our town (Opinion Editorial)
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Born in Dillingham, Alaska, and raised in the village of South Naknek in the Bristol Bay Region, Joanie Fullwood’s life has been shaped by… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Joanie Fullwood
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell “Be strong. Be independent. Be confident.” From a small village about five miles from downtown Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to the heart of Alaska’s education… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Yaso Thiru
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell “I create for people like my brother who are fighting silent battles and just need a moment of connection, reflection, or understanding.” Born in… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Danni Crombie
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week’s Women Who Inspire Wednesday spotlight features Randi Breager, a powerhouse of insight, resilience, and fierce commitment to systems change and survivor advocacy.… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Randi Breager
A response to our latest federal news and the ongoing struggle for education funding support in the State of Alaska…. Federal: What an intense few weeks. Right when things seemed… Continue Reading Thoughts from YWCA Alaska CEO, Jessie Lavoie
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Anchorage-based artist and community advocate ChaCha Flores is as vibrant and dynamic as the murals she paints. Known for her custom tattoos, captivating face… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: ChaCha Flores
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week, we are honored to highlight Cait Olson, social worker, dancer, mother, and advocate, as part of our Women Who Inspire Wednesday series.… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Cait Olson
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell A Leader Rooted in Service and Culture Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa, known affectionately as Tafi, was born in the Independent State of Samoa and raised in… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell This week on Women Who Inspire Wednesdays, we’re honored to spotlight our very own, Jessie Lavoie, a woman whose path through science, service, and… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Jessie Lavoie
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Advocate. Leader. Policy Shaper. Mom. Born in Sacramento and raised between the quiet winters of Tok and the bustle of Anchorage, Amanda Valenzuela understands… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Amanda Valenzuela
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Blaze Bell is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate whose journey is rooted in resilience, authenticity, and fierce compassion. Born and raised in Anchorage,… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Blaze Bell
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell Adrienne Wilson is the Events Coordinator for all the Tooth companies — Moose’s Tooth, Bear Tooth, Broken Tooth, and the newly opened Eye Tooth.… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Adrienne Wilson
Written by Chris Schnell, Program Coordinator From navigating the streets of Anchorage as a teen with nowhere safe to go, to leading lifesaving programs as Chief Program Officer at Covenant… Continue Reading Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Heidi Huppert
By Jessie Lavoie & YWCA Alaska Advocacy Committee We have watched with dismay as the discussion around the Native Village of Eklutna’s gaming hall has escalated to levels of fervor incongruous with… Continue Reading Letter: Native Village of Eklutna is acting within its rights on gaming hall
By Jessie Lavoie & YWCA Alaska Advocacy Committee We read with dismay Alaska House Speaker Cathy Tilton’s recent comments indicating that she and her party killed a voting rights bill… Continue Reading Letter: Ensuring equal ballot access for all Alaskans
By Jessie Lavoie & YWCA Alaska Advocacy Committee At YWCA Alaska, we are on a mission to end racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.… Continue Reading OPINION: Anchorage government should take these actions on homelessness
By Jessie Lavoie & YWCA Alaska Advocacy Committee – August 16, 2024 “As the incoming CEO of the YWCA Alaska, my organization is guided by the mission to eliminate racism… Continue Reading Letter: Keeping the housing conversation going