Mikena VanLiere - EmBe

100-Year Sunday Story: Solo Parent’s Club

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-27T16:43:29-05:00

The solo parents club was founded in 1963 to help single parents find activities, resources, and friends for their children and themselves. The purpose, as listed in the original club constitution, was “to establish a means of enabling parents who are without a partner to meet together, discuss mutual problems about themselves and their children, cultivate common interests and knowledge through educational programs, and create greater opportunities for social contact between themselves and their families.” It was also stated that “membership in this club is open to any parent who is widowed, divorced, separated, or unwed regardless of race, creed, or color.” [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Solo Parent’s ClubMikena VanLiere2022-08-27T16:43:29-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: Amanda Clement

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-20T19:53:00-05:00

Beginning Years: Amanda Clement was born in 1888 in Hudson, South Dakota. Amanda was familiar with strong women her entire life. Her dad died when she was seven, so Amanda watched as her mother stepped up to the plate and took on the challenge of raising two children alone. It was a social crime to parent kids without a man in the house, let alone a young boy. However, Amanda watched as her mother ignored the critics and raised her brother and herself all alone. Amanda grew up playing sports with her brother, Hank, but her favorite was baseball. There was [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Amanda ClementMikena VanLiere2022-08-20T19:53:00-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Derrick Spader – School Age Care Manager

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-18T13:17:14-05:00

“My vision for EmBe is for us to be at the front, leading the way and setting the standard of quality childcare and community empowerment.” After 100 years of serving Sioux Falls, EmBe has built a strong workplace culture that inspires employees like Derrick Spader to bring their best every day. Less than one month in his new role as School Age Care Manager, Derrick can already tell EmBe is different. The spirit of his fellow staff members is unlike anything he’s experienced before. “Everyone I have interacted with is passionate about what we do here at EmBe,” says Derrick, [...]

Staff Spotlight: Derrick Spader – School Age Care ManagerMikena VanLiere2022-08-18T13:17:14-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: Strawberry Festival

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-13T12:18:43-05:00

Throughout its history, the YWCA of Sioux Falls has hosted countless fun events for the community that work to raise money for the organization's scholarship fund. One of these events was the Strawberry Festival of 1962. This event occurred on May 24, 1962, at the beginning of the strawberry season. The festival was a day-long celebration that featured many exciting activities. The highlight of the festival was the bake table. Throughout the event's entire duration, a giant table was set up on one side of the room. This table held a large variety of strawberry-flavored treats and drinks. People were [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Strawberry FestivalMikena VanLiere2022-08-13T12:18:43-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: August 2022

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-10T10:08:31-05:00

Advancing Everyone’s Business Gratitude can be a difficult feeling for us to access under challenging circumstances and none seem to be as challenging as the childcare crisis impacting parents and providers today. As I take this time to reflect in the quiet, the stressful memories of the week dissipate, and scenes from our classrooms surface in their place. My mind goes to the moments where I watch teachers give their undivided attention to each student, the tears they shed as their students learn something new, and the sadness on their faces when a student progresses to a new room. Just [...]

EmBe CEO Column: August 2022Mikena VanLiere2022-08-10T10:08:31-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: Louisa Mitchell

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-06T13:29:17-05:00

As EmBe celebrates its 100th anniversary, we are digging through our history to discover some of the trail-blazing women who defined our values and shaped our history. While looking through the archives, one name popped up repeatedly, continuously doing good for the community and shaping the YWCA into what it is today. This woman was one of the organization’s first members, one of the most influential figures in the Sioux Falls civil rights movement, and one of the most prominent beauty figures in South Dakota history. For our Sunday Story this week, we’re highlighting the life of Louisa Mitchell! Beauty [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Louisa MitchellMikena VanLiere2022-08-06T13:29:17-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: The YWCA’s Womanless Wedding

Mikena VanLiere2022-08-01T09:53:08-05:00

Just six years after its opening, the YWCA put on a production guaranteed to grab the attention of the Sioux Falls Community – The Womanless Wedding. The two-hour-long play took place at the Coliseum on April 21-22, 1927, with tickets sold for 50-75 cents. The production was breaking records as soon as it was announced, with the most tickets sold on opening day for an amateur production. It was expected to be the funniest play ever performed in Sioux Falls. After two nights of sold-out shows, it was named one of the most successful amateur productions in Sioux Falls history. [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: The YWCA’s Womanless WeddingMikena VanLiere2022-08-01T09:53:08-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: Women Archers of the YWCA

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:00:49-06:00

Archery has been around since the first civilizations back in the Paleolithic period. While it was intended for fighting and hunting, the bow and arrow eventually morphed into a tool for leisure and hobby. Beginning in 1800, archery was seen as a sport and a means of friendly competition. However, the world of archery was mainly reserved for men as it was still used as a form of weapon for war. In the 1900 Olympic games, archery was included as a sport for the first time; this was the same year women were first allowed to participate. While women were [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Women Archers of the YWCAMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:00:49-06:00

100-Year Sunday Story: Supporting Women from Around the World since 1920

Mikena VanLiere2022-07-15T14:49:11-05:00

YWCA’s All Nations Club In 1921 the Emergency Quota Law was passed by the US Congress. This law established the United States’ first numerical limit on the number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States. A year after this law passed, the Sioux Falls YWCA created the All Nations Club – a club founded to support new women citizens. Many new citizens felt homesick and lonely, unsure how to engage in American culture. This club aimed to celebrate the members’ home countries while teaching them about the American way of life. Each meeting would center around a different topic. [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Supporting Women from Around the World since 1920Mikena VanLiere2022-07-15T14:49:11-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: July 2022

Mikena VanLiere2022-07-15T12:54:03-05:00

Dare to Raise, Rise2Raise “They’re just like us.” That’s the recurring thought of this past month at EmBe. It was the first thought that came to my mind as I sat in a circle of past and present board members recently. The statement’s on repeat, in my mind and out loud, as we peruse the pages of our 100-year-old history. My heart races at any discovery that triggers it and my spirit dances with each jaw-dropping move made by our sisters and allies of the past. If you can’t tell, we’re uncovering our history from the pages of scrapbooks that [...]

EmBe CEO Column: July 2022Mikena VanLiere2022-07-15T12:54:03-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere