YWCA National Capital Area

Eliminating racism and empowering women through job-training programs such as Washington Area Women in the Trades that help low-income women earn higher wages and break the poverty cycle.

Why do we exist?

The YWCA National Capital Area has been empowering women and eliminating racism in the Greater DC area for over 100 years.  Over the years, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to helping women and their families enrich their lives. In 1916 we opened the first swimming pool for women and girls and hired the first female elevator operator. During the Great Depression we provided counseling, education and housing services. In the 40’s we helped found the USO, became the first non-segregated food service in the nation’s capital and opened a career training center for women that is still in operation today. This training center, operating The Washington Area Women in the Trades (WAWIT) program is now focused on assisting low-income women to pursue careers in the higher wage-earning construction trades. We are helping break the cycle of poverty for women in our community. 

Since 1905, the YWCA National Capital Area has evolved from a pioneer in the struggle for women’s rights and racial equality to a community leader that provides opportunities to educate, motivate, and support women and their families to achieve their fullest potential. Today we serve more than 2,000 members and their children annually through programs in career education and training, health and wellness, and childcare and youth development.

What have you accomplished?

Here is the story of one recent graduate from our Washington Area Women in the Trades (WAWIT) program:

“SM” had little idea of what kind of work she could find when she came out of prison but she knew she wasn’t cut out for office, computer or restaurant work. So she was very excited to sign up for the 12-week WAWIT program being offered at the YWCA. In addition to adult basic education refresher courses, the program gave her hands-on training with tools and equipment at the Carpenters’ Union. And although the training was difficult and at times strenuous, SM proclaimed the WAWIT training was ‘a dream come true’.

She did all this, getting up at 3:30 am each morning riding an old, barely functional bike to the metro in order to get to her class at the YWCA on time. SM persevered in all kinds of weather and fought off exhaustion but her classmates, the staff and fellow residents cheered her on. At graduation, much to her surprise, she was given a brand new mountain bike through the generosity of the community that had heard of her struggles. It was a powerful moment.

Today SM is a member of the Carpenters’ Union Apprenticeship Program earning over $14/hour and working at the new baseball stadium with 2 other WAWIT classmates. In 3 months her wages will increase to the 2^nd year Apprentice rate of $16.62/hour. SM has most definitely benefited from the WAWIT program and is well on her way towards a new and better life.

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