YWCA Merges with the Women's Research Education Fund

For almost 90 years, the YWCA has been a leader in advocating for women’s empowerment, racial justice, and in providing programs that support women and families. According to Maria Imperial, CEO of the YWCA, “Both the YWCA and WREF are organizations with histories of women intentionally working together across economic, generational, ethnic and racial differences, to empower women and girls. The merger will allow us to harness our collective power so that we can do more, substantially more, to further ignite and inspire women and girls to fulfill their potential.”

By merging with the YWCA, WREF is able to sustain its legacy of promoting equality and justice for women in Westchester County through training, advocacy, and recognition of their achievements. “Together, we bring more awareness to those working to change the world around them,” stated Camille Murphy, Executive Director of WREF.

For 34 years, WREF has provided over $1,800,000.00 in scholarships to over 760 qualifying scholars, who represent the brightest in terms of uniqueness, skill, and hope for the future. Scholarships, such as WREF’s allow women the opportunities to develop and achieve success through education. WREF also established the Women’s Hall of Fame to recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to Westchester County and could inspire others. The list of inductees into the Hall of Fame include Ruby Dee, former Senator Hillary Clinton, Eileen Fisher, New York State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousin, Abigail Kirsh, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and most recently New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado.

For the past three years, the YWCA and WREF have jointly hosted the In the Company of Women Luncheon at which the WREF scholarships were awarded and the Women’s Hall of Fame winner was inducted. The luncheon has become one of Westchester’s premiere women’s networking event attracting nearly 600 people. The YWCA will continue both the scholarship and Hall of Fame programs through its newly created WREF department.

The YWCA Board of Directors will maintain control over the policies and strategic direction of YWCA and the WREF programming.

For more information about how to give your time, talent, tenacity and financial support to support women and girls at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester, please contact Marianne Gordineer, mgordineer@ywcawpcw.org or visit www.ywcawpcw.org.

About the YWCA

Since 1929, the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester has been a pioneer for social change through innovative programs that improve the lives of women and families. Each week the YWCA serves over 4,000 women, children and their families through our Women's Residence, Racial Justice initiatives, Girls Leadership, child care, early education, after-school, summer camp, health and wellness, and other social change programs