Advocacy

YWCA has been at the forefront of the biggest issues of the day for 160 years: from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity and from violence prevention to health care reform.

We carry on this long tradition of social action and advocacy to advance our mission — and you are a crucial part of this work. Your voice is critical as we advocate for policies that bring us closer to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

How We Show Up

Equity and justice are built through (un)learning, conversation, and action.

As our advocacy work grows and evolves, it always centers informing and empowering our community. Right now, our advocacy shows up in our engagement with youth, hosting community conversations and supporting voter registration efforts.

YWCA MDI is currently planning our 2027 advocacy programming. Check back soon or follow us on social media for updates!

  • Each year, our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service invites young people to explore the history of the civil rights movement and put its lessons into practice through hands-on community service.

    Toiletry Drive: Items collected during the day are donated to women and others in our community who need access to basic hygiene essentials.

  • In partnership with the Mount Desert Island Racial Equity Working Group (REWG), we have hosted community conversations that deepen our understanding of power and privilege and how they shape our shared lives.

  • We have hosted conversations on women’s health and on racial bias within the healthcare system. By sharing knowledge and information, we hope to help women make informed decisions about their own wellbeing and have a better understanding of systemic inequities.

  • Democracy works best when everyone participates! We support and host local voter registration efforts so every community member can have a voice in the decisions that affect us all.