My Y(W): Gina Millsap is On a Mission
“The transition from a 45 year career in public libraries to working with like-minded people who are committed to the YWCA's mission has been inspiring, life changing, and brings me joy.”
Gina Millsap retired from position as CEO of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in 2020. Her long career in public libraries instilled a passion for community. Just before retirement, she was invited to facilitate a planning retreat with YWCA board members, and, as she describes it, “I was hooked!” Fast forward a few years and Gina is now the President of the Board of Directors. Her strong skills in organizational leadership have helped YWCA weather our share of challenges in the past few years, and are setting us on a steady path moving forward as we prepare to bring a new CEO on board. Read on to see why Gina is #OnAMission with YWCA Northeast Kansas.
How did you first get involved at the YWCA?
“Before I retired as CEO of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in 2020, I was invited to facilitate a planning retreat for the YWCA Board. After meeting with CEO Kathleen Marker and the YWCA Board, I was hooked! The mission - to eliminate racism and empower women - and the critical work of assisting survivors and their children, who had experienced domestic violence and sex trafficking, to reclaim their lives -- I found a new personal mission. The transition from a 45 year career in public libraries to working with like-minded people who are committed to the YWCA's mission has been inspiring, life changing, and brings me joy.”
Who is the woman (real or fictional) you deeply admire, and what qualities or actions inspire you the most about her?
“My mother, Colleen Merinkers Jennings, who passed away in November of 2022. She had a what we would now call a traumatic childhood. She was one of 10 children in a poor Italian/Greek family. Her mother died when she was 10 and she and her two younger sisters were sent to live in a Catholic orphanage in a different state. She was loving, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, an engaged citizen, a good neighbor, and an animal lover. What I admired most about her was her resilience, her empathy, and her generosity. I think of her everyday and hope that the older I get, the more I model those traits that make us good human beings.”
Reflecting on your work with the YWCA, what specific achievement or impact are you most proud of?
“I take satisfaction in using what I learned in a 45 year career about positioning organizations in their communities to be successful. Working with Kathleen and her team and contributing a bit to helping them do the essential and demanding work they do every day is a privilege.”
What valuable insight or lesson have you gained during your tenure on the board that you'd like to share with someone new to board service or a leadership role?
“I have learned so much about the challenges women face and what they need when they and their children are in dangerous and seemingly hopeless situations. I have also learned so much about systemic racism and the toxic effect of racism on every aspect of life in America for people of color. I am grateful for the relationships and friendships I've made and for the willingness of many smart, strong women who share their experiences and what they know so that I am a more competent board member who adds value to our work.”
What fuels your dedication to this vital work? Additionally, what do you consider the most challenging obstacle in our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women?
“I'm motivated to help educate people and open their minds and hearts to the advocacy work we do to eliminate racism, empower women and promote social justice. We are a small organization with a very big mission. Our biggest challenge is to inspire others to join us in this movement to empower women and stand for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”
Beyond your commitments to the YWCA, how do you like to spend your free time or engage in activities for relaxation and joy?
“I love being outdoors in the woods and fields, walking and being with my dog Asta, reading, spending time and having fun with my husband, family, and friends.”
Is there someone within the YWCA—whether a fellow board member, volunteer, staff member, or donor—that you look up to or find particularly inspiring? Why?
“CEO Kathleen Marker is a true leader. She and her hard working team have turned our YWCA around financially and built a sterling reputation for being mission driven, accomplishing great things with limited resources, making a courageous stand for social and reproductive justice, and making a difference for women and their children as they reclaim their lives. As we work to find her successor, her legacy is a strong foundation for future success.”
Any additional insights or thoughts you’d like to share about your service on the board, the YWCA, or our work in the greater Topeka community?
“I encourage everyone who reads this to consider volunteering for the YWCA of NE Kansas. There are many ways to help -- your time, talent, and treasure are all welcome. And if you're looking for work that gives your life meaning, this is a place to consider. For what you contribute, this is what you receive -- wonderful colleagues, strong leadership, and knowing you make a difference every day.”