(Charleston, W.Va.) – On May 3, West Virginia Assistant Attorney General Janet James stood before the YWCA USA Annual General Assembly in Washington, DC and repeated an oath to uphold the YWCA’s mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”
James, who currently serves on the YWCA of Charleston’s board of directors, was one of eight women sworn in that day to the National Coordinating Board (NCB) of the YWCA USA. This 21-member board is comprised of two elected representatives (one staff and one volunteer) from each of the YWCA’s nine regional councils, plus three members-at-large. James was elected as the volunteer representative of the Mid-Atlantic Region, representing 49 YWCAs in nine states.
“The YWCA has always been so fortunate to attract such outstanding women to serve on our national Board,” said Lorraine Cole, Ph.D., YWCA USA CEO. “During these tough economic times in the face of increased need for YWCA services, it is great to have such high caliber talent leading our efforts on behalf of our nation’s women and girls.”
James served as the YWCA of Charleston’s board president from 1999-2003. For the past eight years, she has served as the organization’s liaison to the YWCA Mid-Atlantic Region, along with YWCA of Charleston Executive Director Debby Weinstein. She also serves on the YWCA of Charleston’s fund development committee, which has raised $1.45 million to date for the YWCA’s $2 Million Challenge campaign – a social service program endowment matched dollar-for-dollar by a gift from Mr. Lyell Clay.
“I first became involved with the local YWCA because its work is crucially needed in our community and because those who do this work have such passion for the people they serve,” James stated. “Last year I became compelled to run for the open NCB position because of my passion for the YWCA USA’s work in advocacy at the national and world levels, and by its work on the development of hallmark programs dealing with racial justice and women’s economic empowerment.”
James’s responsibilities on the NCB include making decisions on the YWCA USA’s endowment fund, property acquisition and sale, maintaining linkages to the World YWCA including determining delegates to the 2011 World Council Meeting in Switzerland, and developing peer review standards and other business with local associations.
“The YWCA USA just celebrated its 150th anniversary in Washington, DC, and it is my hope that 150 years from now, the YWCA will no longer be needed for its current mission because there will no longer be homeless women and children, no one will be the victim of domestic violence, racism will be eliminated, all employers will have on-site childcare, and women will have leadership roles in every aspect of life,” James stated. “But to get there, much work remains.”
The YWCA of Charleston, W.Va. is a non-profit social service organization established in 1912 that serves more than 10,000 individuals each year in Kanawha, Boone and Clay counties. The YWCA of Charleston’s programs empower individuals to become self-sufficient by providing education, job readiness, affordable childcare, counseling and financial planning, combined with basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and safety. During the past year, the YWCA of Charleston provided 22,333 shelter nights to homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence and their children; 6,590 hours of free counseling and case management, and 142,264 nutritious meals. Learn more at www.ywcacharleston.org.
The YWCA USA is a national non-profit membership organization dedicated to social service, advocacy, education, leadership development, and racial justice. Its mission is the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. Established in the United States in 1858, the YWCA is the oldest and largest national women’s organization, and celebrating its 150th anniversary. Through its nearly 300 affiliated local YWCAs and its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the YWCA serves 2.5 million women and girls each year. Globally, the YWCA USA is a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122 countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide. Learn more at www.ywca.org.
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