Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women — Why I Serve With the YWCA Columbus
by Danielle Demko, Bath & Body Works Executive Vice President, Digital
This week YWCA Columbus will recognize amazing women who have made a lasting difference in our community at the annual Women of Achievement event. As a founding partner of this event, Bath & Body Works is proud that it has become a pillar celebration in our community — recognizing women’s extraordinary contributions to their families, workplaces and our community for more than 25 years.
My journey with YWCA Columbus began when I participated in a YWCA Columbus Activists and Agitators training in 2020. Their ability to impact systemic social change was very apparent — the training was actionable, and it didn’t avoid the hard topics. It was in this moment I knew the YWCA was an organization I wanted to support. It also reflected what we hold close at Bath & Body Works — valuing, honoring and recognizing diversity and believing in building a more equitable future for all.
That’s why it makes sense that Bath & Body Works has supported YWCA Columbus since 1996, including the Family Center, the Social Justice and Racial Equity programming and this week’s celebration — Woman of Achievement. We’ve gifted in-kind personal care products and rallied our associates to give back. Just last year, we partnered with YWCA Columbus and YWCA Canada to create our first global volunteer initiative which allowed more opportunity for associates to participate in the organization’s annual Giving Tree program.
Today I’m fortunate to serve on the YWCA Board. I am consistently inspired and impressed by the YWCA’s reach and impact in eliminating racism and empowering women. In addition to providing critical housing and childcare services to women and families, the YWCA is also a social justice organization, fostering community dialogue and advocating for systemic change.
I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations and thank you to all of this year’s and past year’s Women of Achievement recipients. You are a source of inspiration and a reminder that we can all make a difference.
