Another year, another fabulous World YWCA Day 2009
Over 40 friends and partners of the World YWCA joined in World YWCA Day celebrations in Geneva, Switzerland on April 24. The occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the World YWCA Day theme ‘Women Creating a Safe World’ and also learn more about the work of the World YWCA. The event involved a number of different presentations including ‘Honouring Women Leaders’ and an introduction to World YWCA Council 2011 along with a photo stream of YWCA programmes around the globe.
World YWCA interns Andrea Núñez Argote (YWCA of Mexico) and Moo Moo Hsoe (YWCA of Myanmar) presented an overview of their member associations and guests viewed the World YWCA Day video message from General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda.
Guests also had the opportunity to share their feelings on what being part of the YWCA movement meant to them. " For me, it’s about putting faith into action,“ said Martine Miquel of the YWCA of Geneva, Switzerland.
“What has captured me are the women of the YWCA. The work of the YWCA is done in a way that touches lives. We have to keep empowering women and take that with us in our own lives," said Bonnie Fatio, World YWCA Ambassador and Age Esteem author.
Messages from current and former World YWCA Board members and staff flowed in during the day. “ When one is involved in this global movement of courageous women, it stays in our veins, hearts and activities for the rest of our lives, “ said Doris Pagelkopf, former World YWCA Vice President.
“On this so very special day, I am thinking and loving all of you and affirming what we are each doing individually and corporately together through the YWCA, “ said Elaine Hesse-Steele, Former World YWCA General Secretary, 1987-1997.
World YWCA staff called member associations throughout the YWCA movement during the day to hear about different celebrations taking place. “ Here at the YWCA of Barbados, we are reflecting on what ‘safe and secure communities’ means for us. It is a community free of abuse, a community where there is a decrease in domestic violence and more comprehensive information on HIV and AIDS. We need more soldiers to advocate for these messages, “ said President of the YWCA of Barbados, Marilyn Rice- Bowen.
“World YWCA Day was such a success,” said World YWCA Fundraising Coordinator Lynn Sorrentino. “It was great to feel a sense of the history as well as the excitement of World YWCA Council 2011, Zurich.”
