Reva Wywadis | YWCA Women of Excellence
TK: What inspires you?
REVA: Like most people, I am inspired by the heroic acts of others that you hear about on the news or are celebrated with awards and honors by community leaders. During this time we have seen many amazing examples of how people have utilized their skills, talents and resources in service to others. However, I am also inspired by the selfless, everyday acts of kindness I witness that will never rise to the level of public recognition. These small and seemingly insignificant actions make a difference in the moment---encouraging someone else to hang on and hang in there! From offering to pick up groceries for a neighbor, picking up trash along the road, stopping to rescue a stray animal, or holding a door open for someone else--- these actions inspire and encourage me to try to be more aware of those around me. The smallest act can be the very one that can turn someone’s day around and offer them the encouragement they may need. One of my favorite quotes is “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Small acts of kindness inspire me, and they happen every day if we just slow down enough to notice!
TK: What have you learned about yourself through the challenges of the past year and a half?
REVA: The challenges of the past year and a half have changed me forever. I have learned how much I value my family and “doing life” with them while also acknowledging that I have at times taken their presence in my day-to-day life for granted. I have gained new insights into the resiliency of the early childhood professionals that have put the needs of children and families at the heart of every difficult decision and choice they have made as “essential workers.” I have grown my gratitude for my colleagues and co-workers who have demonstrated flexibility even when it wasn’t easy in order to continue to serve those who needed us including families and child care providers. I have also learned that sometimes technical or “operational” decisions are far easier to make and implement than the adaptive challenges that have faced all of us that have no clear “right or wrong” path. I have a new respect for my own need to lean on the support and of others and to do everything I can to offer that same support to those who reach out to me!
TK: How do you take care of yourself?
REVA: In my role as the director of a non-profit, it is easy to feel the need to work “around the clock” and it would be untruthful to say I don’t work some incredible hours many weeks. The work is never done, and the past months has brought a new wave of unpredictable factors to each and every day. I also acknowledge that my work team has been under extreme pressure as well and tried to be available and accessible to them whenever they needed me. At this phase of my life, I think I understand more than I ever have before the importance of maintaining a healthy balance in my life and taking good care of myself. I am learning I have to let go of some really good things in order to have the energy to address some “mission critical” things in either my work or my personal life and consider myself to be a “work in progress” with this process. Some weeks I do a better job at this than others! One of the simplest ways I practice self-care is by retreating to my backyard swing, a place where I can turn off the noise of life and just “be.” Sometimes I sit with my coffee and enjoy the silence (although there are typically the sounds of birds chirping and dogs barking somewhere), calming my inner self before facing whatever is next in my day. Other times I listen to music, read or pray. My swing is also where I can debrief about my day with my wonderful husband or where I can talk about what’s on my heart with one of my amazing adult daughters. In addition to my “therapy swing,” I also treat myself to regular massages and enjoy taking in the beautiful Kansas scenery from the back of a Harley every chance I get!
TK: What is the best advice you've ever been given? Or what advice do you have for others?
REVA: The best advice I have ever been given was to never try going it alone. By nature, I am a self-starter and can have the tendency to do a lot on my own. When I am really stressed, my first impulse can be to withdraw and just try to plow through the problems or issues by myself. However, I know that what I do independently is never as good as what I can do in partnership with others. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family, caring friends, and amazingly talented coworkers and colleagues. When I reach out, they are always there and always willing to provide a listening ear, offer a fresh perspective, or to pitch in to help with whatever task is at hand.
TK: What is your vision for our community? Has it changed through the pandemic and racial justice reckoning of 2020?
REVA: I have lived in Kansas my whole life and have called Topeka my home since 1980. I have been blessed to have spent most of my adult life working on behalf of children and families. My vision for the community is that we would be known as a community that truly cares about each other and makes children a priority. The pandemic and racial justice reckoning in the past year has made me much more aware of both the positive ways people have demonstrated care and concern for others as well as making it evident that we all still have much to learn about each other and the struggles we each must contend with. It has caused me to personally renew my commitment to advocate on behalf of children and families that often face seemingly insurmountable challenges. I believe that every family deserves support and access to the resources they need so that their children and family will thrive. What happens in the earliest years of a child’s life lays the foundation for their later success in school and throughout life, so what we do now matters!
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?
REVA: I believe that the YWCA mission embodies the ideals of equity, diversity and inclusion. It is about building a society where everyone is valued and supported, where differences are celebrated, and where we each strive to understand and be understood. To me, this reflects the value of each of us both individually and collectively, and of a society that strives to promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For me personally, it is a challenge to continue to grow my own knowledge and understanding of others and the role I play in making our society a better one each day.
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.
