Civic activist and historian Thelma Jackson will speak

YWCA Women of Achievement gala Nov. 4 at SPSCC

[YWCA, Olympia] Thelma Jackson will be the keynote speaker for the YWCA 2023 Women of Achievement awards gala. The year 2022 was a very busy year for Dr. Jackson. In February, she published a book titled “Blacks in Thurston County, Washington, 1950-1975: A Community Album.” In 2023, the Lacey Historical Society presented her with the Ken Balsley Historian of the Year Award, the Washington State Charter School Commission presented her with a first-ever Community-Rooted Leadership Award, and the City of Olympia presented her with their Heritage Award.

Dr. Jackson served on the North Thurston School Board from 1977 to 1997, as President five times, is a former President of the Board of Trustees of The Evergreen State College and one of the founding members of the Black Alliance of Thurston County.

Today, Dr. Jackson administers the Northwest Institute for Leadership and Change, the 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that she founded in 2003.  She is past Chairperson of the City of Lacey Equity Commission which she began in 2021

For the 29th year, YWCA Olympia will honor and celebrate inspiring women during the annual Women of Achievement Gala on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Established in 1994, the YWCA of Olympia Women of Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors for women in the South Sound. The award honors women who embody outstanding leadership qualities, are exceptionally committed to their community or profession, and align with the YWCA of Olympia’s mission to eliminate racism and sexism, to advance the political, social and economic status of all women and girls and embody our vision of a world where all people are valued, live free from oppression and thrive in a just society.