Power of the W

Happy 109th Anniversary, YWCA Quad Cities! For more than a century, the YW has been a place where women create solutions for women — a community built by women, for women, at a time when safety, opportunity, and support were not guaranteed.

Yet today, many of the same challenges persist. Economic insecurity. Access to child care. Safety. Equity. These issues are still shaping the lives of women in our community, especially those li...

In a world where everyone has something to say, how do you stay true to yourself?

This week, we’re joined by two inspiring local TV anchors, Morgan Ottier and Shelby Kluver, who open up about navigating the pressures of being in the public eye and the impact of negative comments online.

They share real experiences, lessons in resilience, and the mindset shifts that help them rise above criticism and lead with confidence.

Whether ...

What does it take to lead with conviction in a male-dominated field? Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal joins us to discuss her path from defense work to prosecution, the sacrifices and supports that shaped her, and the lessons she carries into her role as the county’s top prosecutor. She opens up about moments of doubt, the extra burdens women often face, and how she’s working to change structural inequities in th...

In this episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with our very own Nicole Sodawasser, a dedicated social worker who has been a driving force behind the creation of our brand-new youth group home, Alan’s House.

Nicole shares the story of how this project came to life and the passion that fuels her work with young people. Together, we talk about the unique challenges unhoused youth face compared to adults, what these struggles mean...

In this episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with two incredible elementary school principals, Ian Scott and John Hawley.

As parents gear up for another school year, Ian and John share heartfelt insights and practical tips on how families can truly make a difference in a child’s education, even with the busiest of schedules. From small, meaningful ways to stay engaged to building strong school-family partnerships, this episod...

In this episode, we chat with Ebonie Bailey, a powerhouse advocate for Black Maternal Health and a true changemaker in her community. Ebonie is the owner of a doula service company, Naturally Ebonie Doula Services, and co-founder and chair of the Iowa Black Doula Collective, a nonprofit that focuses on uplifting and supporting bipoc families.

As a mom of five, Ebonie brings both personal experience and deep professional insight to ...

In the first-ever episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with YWCA Quad Cities President & CEO Julie Larson. 

Julie is one of the largest serving non-profit CEO's in the Quad City Area. She left her career in the corporate world for the non-profit world and hasn't looked back. In this episode, she talks about balancing career and home life, navigating male-dominated spaces, and answering that age-old question, "Can women re...