Young Women United: Empowering Young Women of Color

Young Women United (YWU) is a community based, non-profit agency located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was created for and by young women of color in Albuquerque. YWU is dedicated to the issues local young women of color face today and in our futures. Their members consist of young women, ages 16-35 and are always open to new members to want to explore who they are, make connections with other young women and strive for a just community through activism.

YWU consists of two groups: The Circle of Strength (COS) and the Circle of Fire (COF). COS is for young women, ages 16-19. They've been working hard on a Sexuality Education Campaign which aims at empowering young women on comprehensive sex education in the Albuquerque Public Schools and changing local policy around this issue. New Mexico is third in the nation for having a high rate of teen pregnancies and COS aims at reducing that number. The Circle of Fire is made up of members, ages 19-35 and have participated in various activities, including the Promotora Tradicionales Apprenticeship program that teaches COF and other women in the community how to use traditional medicine for healing purposes.

Together, the two groups have held workshops, put on events and fundraised in efforts to create a better community. Their annual Sister Fire even takes place in the Fall and showcases young women of color artists in the Albuquerque area. There are Hip Hop dancers, spoken word artists, theatrical performances and more, among a great array of inspiring performances. There is also a silent auction that celebrates hands-on artists who do art such as paintings and jewelry.

YWU hold monthly vigils for the families of women whose bodies were discovered in the West Mesa, in addition to remembering a YWU member who was released from the Metropolitan Detention Center and died of an overdose shortly after. In addition to the monthly vigils, they are working on changing policy on getting drug-addicted women they help they need sooner and looking at the social and political dynamics that led up to the addiction in the first place.

Young Women United recognizes the abundance of mothers in the room and offers free daycare at most events, workshops and meetings. They have also begun a Revolutionary Motherhood campaign that collaborates with other mothers of color across the nation in discussing what issues we face as a collective and what we can do as artists and activists to change that so that the future for our children is a bright one. The produced their first Revolutionary Motherhood Zine edition in early 2009.

There are many activities currently going on with YWU today, including several ones previously mentioned. The Revolution Workshop series brings together community members to discuss political and social topics that impact women of color today. There are also workshops that teach members to create their own natural products by hand, including salves, herbal soaps, creams and shampoos. While members can take these home, they are also created for fundraising purposes which have been sold at Albuquerque Gay Pride and other events. Panocha Plática discussions are held in women's homes that discuss women's bodies and their sexuality. YWU aims at empowering the young women of color, in every aspect of their being.

Young Women United is located in the Southeast side of Albuquerque at 120 Morningside Dr, 87108. Phone number: 505-831-8930