Tag Archives: Young Women Empowered

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Young Women Empowered Creates Space for Teens to Learn and Grow

by Jas Keimig

Even though Women’s History Month is drawing to a close, that doesn’t stop the important work for gender equity being done by many in the Seattle area. 

Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) is a Columbia City-based organization that does just that, offering programs and mentorship opportunities to a diverse community of young women and gender-expansive teens across the King County area. Collectively, both teens and mentors envision a future for young people that’s rooted in social justice, equity, and inclusivity. And, most importantly, they are providing a space for kids to become leaders and figure out who they are in an autonomous, supported environment. 

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Community

Beacon Hill Community Leader Brings Young Women the Opportunities She Didn’t Have

by Agueda Pacheco Flores

Silvia Giannattasio-Lugo remembers when the young girls would come into the office she works at to participate in leadership programs. She loved to see how they genuinely connected with each other. She especially loved open-mic nights, when young girls came together to celebrate with each other. 

“I didn’t get to see a lot of that growing up,” she says. “It was lonely for me growing up not always having a community there to celebrate with me.”

Today, Giannattasio-Lugo is the director of development and communication at Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), a nonprofit based in Beacon Hill. Y-WE connects young women with leadership and skills programs, such as their community garden or summer camps. She’s a pillar in the organization’s fundraising operations, where she helps sustain relationships between sponsors and Y-WE. 

“It’s hard for anyone to understand policy or big words and everything that’s being thrown at you, so I liked communications because it bridged that, it made things accessible,” she says in an interview with the Emerald. 

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Community

Y-WE Hosts Virtual Health Care Injustice Panel

by Thea White

“Young Women Empowered seeks to amplify young women’s leadership and role as courageous change makers. We believe in a world where justice is for all and we strive to make that a reality.” 

—Victoria Santos

Last Saturday, May 23, Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) hosted a virtual panel titled Y-WE Care: Exploring Health Care Injustice, to speak on the injustices this global pandemic highlights in the U.S. health care system. The panel was moderated by Y-WE’s Co-Executive Director, Victoria Santos. Santos, who battled COVID-19 in March, took some time to speak on the impact this pandemic has had among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities.

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