Jennifer Vance | YWCA Women of Excellence
TK: What inspires you?
JENNIFER: Our children. Watching these next generations come up in this world makes me want to do better, be better. They have this big, amazing, beautiful and sometimes broken world ahead of them. If I can be even a little part of change to better this world for our kids, that is what I want to do.
TK: What have you learned about yourself through the challenges of the past year and a half?
JENNIFER: Not to take myself so seriously. I usually like to keep a fairly fast pace in my world. I’m learning that it is ok to take a breath, and slow down for a moment. Even if it doesn’t look like you thought it would in the end, taking moments to slow down, things will still work out.
TK: How do you take care of yourself?
JENNIFER: Taking care of my family relaxes me. Fortunately, for me I have a large family, if I can be helping any of them with anything, then I’m happy.
TK: What is the best advice you've ever been given? Or what advice do you have for others?
JENNIFER: I was a very shy and timid kid. My mom told me, ‘I’m not always going to be there to fight your battles for you, you have a voice, use it!’ Not every one gets that encouragement, I hope I can encourage my girls to use their voice when they see something needs fighting for.
TK: What is your vision for our community? Has it changed through the pandemic and racial justice reckoning of 2020?
JENNIFER: Continued diversity. Our community and our children deserve to have the added efforts and involvement of multiple perspectives.
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?
JENNIFER: To me the YWCA’s mission is to encourage and create an environment where ALL women are freely able to exercise their right of self-determination. The YWCA inspires young girls and women to effectively decide their own path, and to include other women along the way.
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.
