YWCA Madison welcomes five new members to help guide our mission: Luz Arroyo Calderon, Brian Jones, April Kumapayi, kristy kumar, and Jordan-Lindsay Morris! Together with our continuing board and staff, they will help YWCA Madison build stronger, more connected pathways for justice and liberation.

Gery Paredes Vásquez, Executive Director of YWCA Madison, shares a reflection as she prepares to attend a national gathering of YWCA executive directors in Phoenix. Drawing inspiration from a story she heard in Teotihuacan, Mexico—from an elder named Toñita—Gery recounts the tale of Coatlicue, the Earth Goddess, who, despite vulnerability, births a powerful warrior to protect the world. This story becomes a metaphor for resilience, transformation, and hidden strength during uncertain times.