March is Women’s History Month a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and impact of women everywhere In alignment with our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, we at YWCA Princeton are proud to take this celebration to the next level
Each March, we host our annual Tribute to Women event, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary women and male allies who are advancing progress, equity, and social justice in our community. This year ’ s 2026 class of honorees (pictured below) truly inspires especially with the return of the distinguished Susie Waxwood Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor not presented in over a decade
Join us on Thursday, March 26, at 8:30 AM at Boathouse at Mercer Lake for this special celebration. We would love for you to be part of it keep reading for more details!
And the celebration doesn’t stop there. From our Advocacy Department to our Breast Cancer Resource Center, our Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center, and our English as a Second Language program, we are uplifting and empowering women all month long. Stay tuned to learn more about the many ways we are making an impact
What is happening at the
Burke Foundation Early
Childhood Center
Open House at The Burke Foundation
Early Childhood
Center-Saturday
March 28
Join us for an Open House at The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center on Saturday, March 28!
This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective and current families to tour the facility, learn more about our curriculum, and ask questions to see how our program aligns with your family’s needs.
Registration is required. To reserve your spot, please contact Namita Kumar, Burke Enrollment, at nkumar@ywcaprinceton.org.
Read Across America Week
Read Across America Week takes place March 2–7, kicking off on the birthday of beloved author Dr. Seuss.
To celebrate, we are welcoming a very special guest on Monday, March 2 to read to our Pre-K students. Can you guess who it might be?
2026 Early Mercer Reads
In partnership with 2026 Early Mercer Reads, we are excited to welcome guest readers from our YW Community Partners, who will be visiting all 12 classrooms across our three sites: our YWCA facility, the YWCA Princeton Pannell Learning Center, and Redding Circle
We are grateful for their support in helping us foster a love of reading in every classroom
Celebrating 100 Years of Black
History
This year celebrates 100 years of Black History Month. Join the YWCA Princeton mission team as we close out Black History Month to discuss 100 years of Black history and culture in our podcast Renaissance to Renaissance, available on Spotify and Youtube.
Episode One, Foundations of the First Renaissance, 1926 to 1953
This episode explores the cultural foundations formed during and after the Harlem Renaissance detailing the way Black Americans used art, sport, military service, and collective organizing to assert dignity and resist segregation. We will set the tone for a throughline in each of our episodes on how culture will become both refuge and resistance.
Episode Two, Freedom in Motion, 1954 to 1969 -
Spanning the height of the modern Civil Rights Movement, episode two shows how Black Americans demanded dignity, visibility, and systemic change through peaceful protests and strategy. From the classroom to the Supreme Court, every day Black Americans would fight that separate but equal was never equal and use their collective economic power to effect change.
Episode Three, Black Power Movement, 1970 to 1990 -
In the years following major civil rights victories, Black communities pushed for power, representation, ownership, and narrative control This episode explores the rise of hip-hop, Black film and television, political leadership, and fashion as powerful responses to economic shifts, mass incarceration, and stereotyping. Culture will become a language of resistance and selfdefinition expanding and connecting Black influence both locally and nationally.
Episode Four, From Margins to Mainstream, 1991 to 2012 -
This episode focuses on the contradictions of being Black in America Black culture surged in the mainstream, while mass incarceration expanded and inequality deepened From the 1992 Los Angeles uprisings to new political voices, this era forced America to confront what visibility actually meant
Episode Five, The Modern Renaissance, 2012 to present -
From 2012 onward, the story of Black America would be shaped by visibility, mobilization, and an ongoing struggle over whose voices define the nation’s future. In a dark time for Black Americans, once again culture rose to define the moment as a new generation of activists and politicians took to the streets and Capitol Hill to demand action.
March is Triple Negative
Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Awareness Month
March is Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Awareness Month and here in the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) at YWCA Princeton, it holds special meaning
Our BCRC community includes a powerful and resilient group of TNBC survivors and thrivers whose strength, advocacy, and lived experience continue to shape our programs and priorities.
What Is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?
Triple Negative Breast Cancer accounts for approximately 10–15% of all breast cancer diagnoses It is called “triple negative” because the cancer cells test negative for three common receptors known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2
Because TNBC lacks these receptors, common hormone therapies and HER2targeted treatments are not effective making treatment options more limited and often more aggressive. TNBC tends to:
Be more commonly diagnosed in women under age 50
Disproportionately affect Black women and individuals with BRCA1 gene mutations
Have a higher likelihood of recurrence within the first 3–5 years after diagnosis
The hopeful news? Research advancements over the last decade including immunotherapy and targeted treatment options are changing the landscape of care and improving outcomes
A Decade of Education & Advocacy
For the past 10 years, the BCRC has proudly hosted a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Luncheon every other year, welcoming leading researchers and clinical specialists to share emerging science, prevention strategies, and early detection recommendations particularly for individuals in higherrisk categories
As TNBC research continues to evolve and awareness of risk factors grows, we recognize that survivorship care must evolve as well. Education remains critical but so does wholeperson wellness Grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer
A New Chapter: 2026
BCRC Wellness Day
This year, we are excited to pivot toward an expanded, more inclusive platform for education and connection: our 2026 BCRC Wellness Day, taking place on Saturday, April 11th.
Our BCRC Wellness Day is designed for all survivors and thrivers and will focus on empowering participants through education, support, and restorative experiences. This year ’ s focus will center on comprehensive survivorship wellness bringing together expert guidance, meaningful conversation, and opportunities for renewal.
With additional funding and volunteer engagement, our vision is to grow BCRC Wellness Day into a full-day, retreat-like experience a space where survivors can:
Learn from trusted experts
Build meaningful peer connections
Explore mind-body healing practices
Feel seen, supported, and strengthened
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Awareness Month reminds us why this work matters and why community matters even more.
If you are interested in learning more about our 2026 BCRC Wellness Day on Saturday, April 11th, please contact BCRC Director, Melissa McMahon, at mmcmahon@ywcaprinceton.org.
Let’s continue to raise awareness, expand knowledge, and walk alongside every survivor and thriver together.
Bloom Where You're Planted with
Newcomers & Friends at YWCA Princeton
Registration for a new year of our Newcomers & Friends at YWCA Princeton is still underway! For over 65 years, the Newcomers have welcomed women to our community from around the world, nation, and state.
We have many Interest Groups for you to participate in. Whether you like hiking, biking, card playing or dining out, we have it for you with our 35 different Interest Groups.
You don’t have to live in Princeton to be a part of Newcomers & Friends. Members come from all over including Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, and Bucks Counties. Whether you are a seasoned resident or new to our area, Newcomers & Friends welcome you to bloom where you are planted!
