Last year at this time, I noted in YW Calgary’s 2019-2020 Impact Report that it had been one of the most impactful and significant years YW Calgary had seen in a very long time. We had opened our Hub facility, moved employees and clients into the space and hosted our Grand Opening. Little did we know what the year ahead was going to bring.

The 2020-2021 fiscal year has been dubbed the Year of COVID. For us, it has brought a great deal of disruption, change and uncertainty but also several unexpected discoveries. It tested us as an organization and community, while providing some poignant moments and positive aspects along the way.

Across the globe and here at home, we were all learning how to do things virtually. At YW, we hosted more than one virtual event in 2020 and learned a great deal with each time. It was in this theme of better and better that enabled the success of our first virtual YWHISPER Gala as well as our ability to continue a critical conversation about the representation of women and gender-diverse people in our economy.

Looking beyond Calgary, the four YWCAs of Alberta – Banff, Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge – made history this past year by establishing a new foundation from which to launch formidable systemic change that advances gender equity. It has been a pride point for me to work with our sister organizations and their amazing leaders. While there is much work still to be done, we successfully hosted joint events such as The Economic Recovery Panel and developed government submissions including Recommendations on Domestic Violence Response during COVID-19. The collaborative work of the YWCAs of Alberta Economic Recovery Council Submission last June garnered an invitation to join a long-term planning committee on childcare in Alberta.

This has been a year of extremes around the world. Last summer, pandemic news took a backseat as headlines centred on systemic racism, racial justice and equity, diversity and inclusion. YW employees spoke out with concerns, and we listened. We began to take action to address the colonial roots of this 111-year-old organization and tackle gaps in our culture. With the support of external expertise, YW developed a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, approved by the YW Calgary Board in May 2021. Embedding our learning in our work, our interactions and our programming is an ongoing process, and one we are dedicated to moving forward.

Throughout this year, I have been proud each day of the team at YW Calgary. None of us expected this pandemic would have encompassed our entire year – and likely much of the one ahead – but each day they rose to the challenge. I am pleased to share with you some highlights, and successes of the Year of COVID.