YWCA Boulder County hosted a Women's Empowerment Day at the Colorado State Capitol today from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 115 girls and women joined the organization in “calling on the Colorado General Assembly to act boldly and urgently on key issues impacting women, families, and marginalized communities across [Colorado,]” according to CEO Debbie Pope.
During the organization’s event, participants joined meetings with elected legislators to discuss priority bills on health, safety and economic advancement for women and girls. They also received a guided tour of the Capitol, sat in the House and Senate chambers to witness bills in action firsthand, and had a lunch reception with community leaders and legislators to connect and discuss key issues.
Pope said that YWCA Boulder County and the women who joined the event demanded progress on a handful of key priority areas, including women’s economic security, child care, racial justice, reproductive justice and abortion access, and supporting survivors of and preventing gender-based violence.
The women urged legislators to support and pass crucial bills that align with these priorities, Pope said, including, SB25-001 (Colorado Voting Rights Act), SB25-003 (Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices), SB25-034 (Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver), HB25-1062 (Theft of a Firearm), SB25-130 (Providing Medical Emergency Services), SB25-129 (Protections for Legally Protected Health Care Activity), SB25-027 (Trauma-Informed School Safety Practices), HB25-1038 (Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website), and SB25-183 (Coverage for Pregnancy-Related Services).
“In addition to advocating for change, our day at the Capitol is a powerful learning opportunity,” Pope said. “Advocates will gather to deepen their skills, share experiences, and be inspired by community organizers and legislative staff. We are especially energized by the incredible participation of young women — high school and college students — who are stepping into leadership and building the future of advocacy in Colorado.”
The YWCA Boulder County is a nonprofit that works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, and freedom for all. It's part of the national YWCA network, which is one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the United States.
