Women in the NAACP
Women in the NAACP (WIN) seeks to enhance the leadership role of women, serve as an advocacy vehicle for issues affecting women and children, and advocate for the positive development of children.
Monthly WIN Message

A brief history
During the year 1980, in Memphis Tennessee, Frances Louise Dancy Hooks (wife of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks) and Earleen Bolden organized the trailblazing Women in the NAACP (WIN), an unprecedented project which aimed to enhance the leadership roles of women both within the Association and in everyday life. The WIN organization raised funds for emergency relief and made a commitment to supporting Black/African American women, and their children and communities.
In 2004, Women in the NAACP (WIN) was approved as a standing committee at the Philadelphia National Convention in accordance with Article VIII of the NAACP Constitution and Bylaws. WIN’s national theme is “Outstretched Hands and Open Hearts to Women and Children.”
WIN is an integral committee of the NAACP. It has historically provided emergency relief funds to families and offered a medium for women to develop leadership, outreach, and advocacy skills for civil rights. Today, the legacy of WIN continues to inspire and remind us of the vital role that women have played and continue to play in advancing social justices, equity, and equality.
The purpose of WIN is to:
- Enhance the leadership role of women
- Serve as an advocacy vehicle for social, economic, political, educational, health
and welfare issues affecting women, girls, and children - Support the ongoing work of the NAACP and the Snohomish Branch
WIN membership is open to any NAACP member. WIN meetings are held in person or
virtually and may be held at the NAACP Convention and State meetings.
Our Monthly Reflections
from Dr. Yvonne Terrell-Powell, Women in the NAACP (WIN) Chair
Wow, wow, wow! I can’t believe summer has ended and we’re into fall already, which is a beautiful season of change. It's a time to enjoy the cool breeze, watch the tree leaves turn a stunning orange, beautiful yellow and brilliant gold. Those leaves express their boldness and beauty while at the same time falling to the ground and nourishing the soil. And yes, they can cause some work for many of us as we have to rake the leaves. Fall comes with blue skies, cloudy days, and crisp air that invites us to slow down, reflect, invite peace in and let go of anything that’s not needed for this season. You know, let go of the control, the worries, the situation that’s just not working, the negative messages, and the messages that tell you that you’re not good enough. Yes, be very intentional this fall as you embrace the beauty of life and adjust or let go of those thoughts, things and relationships that don’t support your well-being. So this fall, let’s embrace the lessons of life. They are there to help us grow and continue to strive toward our purpose. You are amazing, strong and have the inner strength that must go through this season and emerge stronger, more powerful, astonishing, and grateful. Let us together embrace this time and this fall season to bring forth a powerful message of love, resilience, remembrance, and renewal.
October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of health, courage, and community. It’s a time to support those in the fight, remember those we’ve lost and their families, and celebrate life. Have you completed your at home or medical screening breast cancer exam?See a few facts below: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the US. Each year, about 32% of all newly diagnosed cancers in women are breast cancer.Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic groups.Even as breast cancer death rates have declined in every racial and ethnic group since the 1990s, death rates in American Indian/Alaska Native women have remained constant.Black Men have the highest incidence of male breast cancer and death.
Resources
Breast Cancer Facts and Statistics 2025Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk - Mayo ClinicLearn about breast cancerBlack Women and Breast Cancer: Disparities and Research | BCRF
“Life is Life-ing”
Did I hear someone say that life is “life-ing”? If so, I completely agree. Life is doing what it does best. It brings challenges and wins, chaos and peace, worry and calm, mess and gratefulness, and everything in between. But here’s the thing that I want you to remember, “You are built for this life, and you are built different.” Yes, you’re built differently in a way that allows you to live out your care, love, faith, beauty, joy, and purpose. You are built to make a difference in the lives of those around you and in the lives of those you’ve yet to meet. You are built to look those challenges straight in the face and remind yourself, I got this. This too shall pass. I’m on this earth for such a time as this, which means I must engage with life-ing. Yes, I might bend, but I’ve already decided that I won’t break. Yes, worry and anxiety might show up, but I know calm and peace are on the horizon. I am loved. I am safe. I am here to make a difference. And yes, life may be serving up its share of messiness, but I have so much to be grateful for. I am grateful for my smile, my laughter, my family, my breath, my beauty, my kindness, my wisdom and so much more. Oh, life, you can keep life-ing. And I will keep reminding both you and me that I’m built for this. I have been called for such a time as this. And through it all, I will remain grateful, hopeful and confident that I am victorious!
'Tis the Season!
As we enter December, we find ourselves in a month that comes with many different holidays and traditions. The holiday season can be peaceful and beautiful, yet it can also feel overwhelming. It often comes with celebration, blessings, laughter, and joy, but also may stir up stress, financial strain, loneliness, or the pain of missing loved ones. It can be a time of connection and rest, love and faith, but also a time when family dynamics or worries show themselves once again. Even with all of this, the meaning of this holiday season remains yours to create and define. You have the power to envision what you want this time to be. You can set clear expectations, honor your boundaries, and choose the tone and energy for your holiday experience. No matter what happens during the season, you can commit to protecting your peace, joy, and gratitude. With the many thoughts and emotions that we carry during this season, it can be a little challenging, but you deserve to hold onto the belief that this season will work out for your good. You are capable. You are worthy. You are valued. You are blessed, highly favored, and loved. This is your life and you’re going to enjoy this time! So “Tis the Season” to acknowledge and honor your thoughts and emotions and to provide quality and intentional care of yourself; to give in ways that feel right, to trust that you have the ability to set the tone for a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, clarity, empowerment, joy, love, delicious food, and meaningful moments with yourself, family and friends. Here are a few holiday wellness tips:Every day:Remind yourself that you’re going to have a good day. Think about it and say it out loud.Look in the mirror and remind yourself that you love that person in the mirror. They ain’t perfect but they’re good people.Remind yourself that you are amazing, beautiful, powerful, wonderful. . . and somebody needs you.Do something that makes you happy and feel good about yourself.Be mindful of your boundaries to protect your time, joy, and peace.Pause to pray, meditate, and be thankful and grateful.Check in on loved ones who may need some extra support or intentionally offer acts of kindness to family, friends or strangers.Rejoice knowing that you deserve to smile, laugh and be loved.Make room to receive your blessings and count them all joy.Work to live your life to the fullest; it’s your life to be lived! Well, “Tis the Season!” I’ll be checking in again in the New Year! Oh yeah, wishing you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! With love always, Dr. Yvonne Terrell-PowellWomen in the NAACP (WIN) Chair
NAACP Snohomish County (10AA-B)
Happy New Year!
Oh yeah, you made it. You pressed forward. You cried, loved, prayed, and rested. You experienced being tired, loss, hurt, disappointment, and anxiety. You’ve experienced new opportunities and new ways of being and thinking. You’ve met new people and made the decision to let go of some others. You let go of some old stuff, dealt with challenges, reached some of your goals, embraced joy, watched it fade, and welcome it back again. And here you are standing steadfast in 2026. It’s still your time. It’s still your moment. It’s still your life! You remain amazing, powerful, beautiful, and intelligent. You were created to be loved by others, but most of all to love yourself. Yes, love yourself. Nobody can do it like you. You know the song, You Gotta Love the One You’re With. Well, you’re with you all of the time so love yourself. Give yourself that amazing, warm, forgiving, empowering and forever love. Take some time to pause and reflect how you plan to love yourself this year. That's most definitely what I’m doing. I’m choosing to love myself even more than I thought I did last year. There will be important decisions to make. Those decisions that are best for your life or situation. Try not to overthink or worry too much. I once heard someone say, make the decision, then do your best to bring out the best outcome you can; that’s all you got. There will be much you will learn and experience. Somehow, your decision will turn in your favor and possibly exceed your expectations. It’s 2026. Let’s declare that this year is going to be better than last year in so many areas of our lives. And we are committed to loving ourselves better than before. So here’s to being resilient. Here’s to you. Here’s to us. Here’s to a new year filled with strength, love, and blessings.
Best regards always,
Yvonne Dr. Yvonne Terrell-PowellWIN LeadNAACP Snohomish County (10AA-B)
