06/01/2026
🌈At YWCA, our commitment to peace, justice, freedom, and dignity includes equity and equality for our LGBTQ+ community. This Pride Month, we celebrate LGBTQ+ leaders across the country who live authentically and lead boldly. We are proud to stand with you, today and every day.
-Pauli Murray (1910 –1977) was a pioneering African American civil rights activist, legal scholar, poet, and author. She was a trailblazer in the fight for racial and gender equality, advocating for social justice and justice reform throughout her life. Murray was the first African American woman to earn a JD from Yale Law School and was a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
-Audre Lorde (1934 –1992) was a renowned Caribbean-American writer, poet, feminist, and activist. She dedicated her life to exploring issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social justice through her powerful poetry, essays, and speeches. As a self-described "black, le***an, mother, warrior, poet," Lorde's work challenged societal norms and advocated for intersectional activism.
-Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a celebrated Mexican painter known for her vibrant, surrealist self-portraits and deeply personal artwork. Her paintings often explored themes of identity, pain, and resilience, reflecting her own experiences with health struggles and emotional turmoil. Kahlo’s distinctive style combined elements of Mexican folk art with modernist techniques, making her an iconic figure in art history. Beyond her artistic legacy, she is celebrated as a symbol of strength, individuality, and cultural pride.
[Photo ID: Text reads “Strong Communities are Built When People Look Out for One Another. During we affirm our commitment to creating spaces where every person is welcomed, valued, and safe, including our LGBTQ+ neighbors.” Image 2: Pauli Murray. Image 3: Audre Lorde. Image 4: Frida Kahlo. End ID.]
