Gillian Chadwick | YWCA Women of Excellence
TK: What inspires you?
GILLIAN: Human resiliency, animals, and nature.
TK: What have you learned about yourself through the challenges of the past year and a half?
GILLIAN: More time in solitude has helped me better tune in to my inner compass.
TK: How do you take care of yourself?
GILLIAN: Listening to that inner compass and respecting my needs and limits is extremely important. Spending time with animals and in nature helps me restore balance.
TK: What is the best advice you've ever been given? Or what advice do you have for others?
GILLIAN: Seek your own approval, not someone else's. Otherwise, you may wake up to find you are living someone else's dream.
TK: What is your vision for our community? Has it changed through the pandemic and racial justice reckoning of 2020?
GILLIAN: My vision is a community that is safe for love. That has never been a reality for everyone in the community. However, I am hopeful that recent events have drawn new attention and energy to the cause of justice.
TK: The mission of YWCA is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. What does YWCA's mission mean to you?
GILLIAN: I have admired the YWCA mission since I first heard those words as a brand new legal services lawyer in Washington, D.C. I was excited by the naming of such a bold mission, particularly during a time when racial justice was not prioritized as it should have been. Since moving to Kansas, I have treasured my professional collaborations with the YWCA of Northeast Kansas and its staff.
The YWCA is on a mission to empower women at all stages in their careers. Diversity in leadership is particularly vital to our vibrant business community in the Greater Topeka Area.
