Amanda Wilwert | YWCA Women of Excellence
TK: What inspires you?
AMANDA: I am inspired by the beauty of life and nature. I am inspired by generous and loving acts as simple as people who smile at strangers.
TK: What have you learned about yourself through the challenges of the past year and a half?
AMANDA: I have learned the importance of practicing self-care. The past year and a half has been a busy and stressful time. I learned that it is equally important to work hard but to also take time to find good in each day.
TK: How do you take care of yourself?
AMANDA: I exercise, eat healthy (most of the time), read, and take my dogs out for walks.
TK: What is the best advice you've ever been given? Or what advice do you have for others?
AMANDA: The sun will set, and the sun will rise. No matter how good or bad a day is, the sun always brings a new day with new opportunities.
TK: What is your vision for our community? Has it changed through the pandemic and racial justice reckoning of 2020?
AMANDA: I do not have a vision, but a hope. My hope is that our community can learn to respect each other. It is impossible to understand what the person next to you is going through. You do not need to understand or even agree, but simply show kindness and respect.
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?
AMANDA: Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." Today, women are still the minority in several professions and are often not in senior leadership. While we are taking steps in the right direction, it is important for an organization such as YWCA to exist to promote women and the core concepts of our society - peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. As Ruth Bader Ginsberg also said: "Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time."
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.
