The Women’s Collective (TWC) is a leading community health and human service agency in Washington, DC that provides prevention, care, and support services and advocates for the health and human rights of girls and women.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower women, girls, and their families by providing them with the skills and linkages to meet their self-defined needs, increase their access to care and support, and engage them so that they are best equipped to 'own' their health outcomes, improve their quality of life, and protect their rights. We provide a wide range of services and programs along the prevention to care continuum via three departments: 1) care, 2) prevention, and 3) policy and advocacy. Services and programs are peer-based, culturally-competent, girl- and woman-focused, and family-centered.

For many women and girls, HIV infection is not the most salient issue they face—significant poverty; lack of safe, affordable housing; trauma and violence; substance use; mental health issues; chronic health issues such as breast cancer and heart disease; and myriad other problems associated with their socioeconomic status—are far more pressing than HIV. TWC works to effectively and efficiently address the range of issues women and girls face that impact their overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

History and Background

As the only women- and girl-serving agency in the Washington, D.C. area, we are experienced at working with low income, disadvantaged, and marginalized women and girls ages 12+. TWC grew out of the life experience of the Founder/Executive Director, Patricia Nalls, a woman living with HIV/AIDS who used her personal story to create this unique organization and model of care. Since 1992, The Women's Collective has engaged women and girls living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways that respect their expertise, ideas, voices, needs, and experiences.