For the 26th year, YWCA Olympia seeks to inspire South Sound community members during our annual Womxn of Achievement Celebration February 19th. Please join us in honoring this year’s Womxn of Achievement: Talauna Reed, Tanikka Watford-Williams and Earth-Feather Sovereign.
Talauna Reed has worked tirelessly for institutional accountability. Knowing this is not popular or easy, and living in a smaller community where her actions could impact her safety, Talauna has been out there, in the public, holding systems to account for institutional neglect at a time when we really need it.
Tanikka Watford-Williams, along with the Moore Wright Group, was ready to respond to this crisis that has hurt us all and to address unmet needs to support people’s survival. She has built so many partnerships and is providing services that support peoples’ lives in tangible ways.
Earth-Feather Sovereign has been relentless in making sure the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women has a voice and that the women have a voice. This is such an important issue that gets no attention. Earth Feather’s efforts have made the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women visible and present in tangible ways.
YWCA Olympia is also pleased to announce Patrisse Cullors as this year’s guest speaker.
Patrisse is an artist, activist, educator, public speaker, best-selling author and Los Angeles-native. They are also the Co-Founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network and Founder of the Los Angeles-based grassroots organization Dignity and Power Now. The movement has since expanded into an international organization with dozens of chapters around the world campaigning against anti-black racism. For the last 20 years, Cullors has been on the frontlines of criminal justice reform and led Reform LA Jails’ “Yes on R” campaign.
YWCA Olympia is focused on the mission of eliminating racism and sexism to advance the social, political, and economic status of all womxn and girls. While the organization is specifically focused on racial justice, all activities are aligned with an intersectional approach that places the leadership and wisdom of Womxn of Color at the center.