Power of the W

Happy 109th Anniversary, YWCA Quad Cities! For more than a century, the YW has been a place where women create solutions for women — a community built by women, for women, at a time when safety, opportunity, and support were not guaranteed.

Yet today, many of the same challenges persist. Economic insecurity. Access to child care. Safety. Equity. These issues are still shaping the lives of women in our community, especially those living in poverty.

In this episode, we put a human voice to the statistics: 1 in 3 female-headed households in the Quad Cities are living in poverty. Behind every number is a woman with dreams, resilience, and a story worth hearing.

Our guests, Bettina McWilliams and LaDericka Baker, bravely share their lived experiences, not to be defined by their struggles, but to help listeners better understand the realities so many families face daily. Their journeys reveal strength, perseverance, and the courage it takes to navigate systems that were not built with everyone in mind.

Join us as we honor 109 years of mission-driven work and deepen the conversation around poverty, stigma, and the change we can spark when we truly listen.

In a world where everyone has something to say, how do you stay true to yourself?

This week, we’re joined by two inspiring local TV anchors, Morgan Ottier and Shelby Kluver, who open up about navigating the pressures of being in the public eye and the impact of negative comments online.

They share real experiences, lessons in resilience, and the mindset shifts that help them rise above criticism and lead with confidence.

Whether you’re chasing your dreams, building your voice, or just trying to stay positive in a noisy world, this episode will remind you that your worth isn’t defined by someone else’s words.

Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation about courage, confidence, and finding power in your own story.

What does it take to lead with conviction in a male-dominated field? Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal joins us to discuss her path from defense work to prosecution, the sacrifices and supports that shaped her, and the lessons she carries into her role as the county’s top prosecutor. She opens up about moments of doubt, the extra burdens women often face, and how she’s working to change structural inequities in the legal system. With candor and inspiration, she shares her proudest career moments, her hopes for the future, and the advice she gives to the next generation of women in law.

Host: Jenna Panicucci

In this episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with our very own Nicole Sodawasser, a dedicated social worker who has been a driving force behind the creation of our brand-new youth group home, Alan’s House.

Nicole shares the story of how this project came to life and the passion that fuels her work with young people. Together, we talk about the unique challenges unhoused youth face compared to adults, what these struggles mean for our community, and how group homes like Alan’s House can offer not just shelter, but stability, hope, and a sense of belonging.

In this episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with two incredible elementary school principals, Ian Scott and John Hawley.

As parents gear up for another school year, Ian and John share heartfelt insights and practical tips on how families can truly make a difference in a child’s education, even with the busiest of schedules. From small, meaningful ways to stay engaged to building strong school-family partnerships, this episode is packed with powerful advice every parent and guardian should hear.

Whether you're a seasoned school parent or sending your little one off for the first time, you’ll walk away inspired and empowered to support your child’s learning journey.

In this episode, we chat with Ebonie Bailey, a powerhouse advocate for Black Maternal Health and a true changemaker in her community. Ebonie is the owner of a doula service company, Naturally Ebonie Doula Services, and co-founder and chair of the Iowa Black Doula Collective, a nonprofit that focuses on uplifting and supporting bipoc families.

As a mom of five, Ebonie brings both personal experience and deep professional insight to the conversation.

We talk about her journey to becoming a doula, the barriers she’s overcome, and how she responded to a lack of representation by building her own table and inviting others to join.

Ebonie talks a lot about advocating for yourself, and we dive into the critical issue of racial disparities that affect women of color who are most often at risk of life-threatening pregnancy-related complications.

We also discuss the YWCA Quad Cities free Maternal Health Fair that Ebonie is cohosting with us on June 14th. We are going to have a lot of amazing resources available for expecting mothers.

In the first-ever episode of The Power of the W, we sit down with YWCA Quad Cities President & CEO Julie Larson. 

Julie is one of the largest serving non-profit CEO's in the Quad City Area. She left her career in the corporate world for the non-profit world and hasn't looked back. In this episode, she talks about balancing career and home life, navigating male-dominated spaces, and answering that age-old question, "Can women really have it all?"

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Host: Jenna Panicucci

Guest: Julie Larson

Producer: Jenna Panicucci