Who We Are

Women on the Stairwell, Domestic Violence Survivor Services, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena

The YWCA Glendale & Pasadena is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Our purpose is to ensure the health, safety, and economic empowerment of women, children, and families and to strengthen communities to prevent and break the cycle of domestic violence. 

The YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.

Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1926. Over the past 98 years, programs have evolved and have included shelter for women, health education and wellness classes for women, youth development programs, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, children’s programs, emergency shelter, and services for survivors of domestic violence.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

YWCA MISSION

Our Team

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for Glendale, Pasadena and beyond

2023 – 2024 Executive Committee

Shushan Barsegyan
Founder and Partner, Full Circle Business Law

Richard Bennett
Retired CEO and Owner – FCI Systems Corporation

Anita Chan
Vice President, Relationship Manager, Comerica Bank

Jessica First
CEO & Chief Strategist – Kilter

Valerie Merritt
Retired Lawyer

Directors

Erin Edwards 
Director, Marketing & Communications, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

Amanda Faissal
Communications Deputy - Assemblymember Laura Friedman's 44th District 

Mane Khachatryan
Attorney At Law, Richards, Watson and Gershon

Dalia V. Lomeli 
Corporate Communications Senior Manager, QTC Management, a Leidos company

Manuel Magpapian
Attorney at Law, Pillemer and Pillemer

Taline Saad
Executive Vice President, Opulent Remodeling & Construction

Jess Skylar 
Managing Partner, Think of Us

Dr. Paula Stamp 
Vice President, Economic Development, CLAYCO

Wesley Walton
CEO, Glendale Area Schools Credit Union

Arsine Yedigaryan
Vice President, HR Business Partner Manager, City National Bank

Key Dates in YWCA History

  • 1858

    The first association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association, formed in New York City

  • 1946

    Interracial Charter adopted, starting the process of desegregation

  • 1960s

    Membership and leadership positions opened to non-Christians

  • 1963

    Direct Action Program begun to ensure full desegregation in community YWCAs

  • 1970

    The One Imperative (“To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”) adopted

  • 2015

    Corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”