Gail M. Fortes

Gail M. Fortes is the Executive Director of the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts. She has served the YWCA in numerous capacities since 1994.  Gail is truly committed to the YWCA Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. She is also a parent of a GLCPS student. 

Gail is the 2015 Standard Times New Bedford Woman of the Year and a 2016 Unsung Heroine for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She is also the Immediate Past President of the National Association of YWCA Executives, Past Chair of the Board of Lifestream Corporation, Board Member of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Corporators for BayCoast Bank, Board Member of the United Front Development Corp., Board Member of the SouthCoast LGBTQ Network, Board Member for Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and serves as the Board Secretary of the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford. Gail is also the host of the Dartmouth Cable Television Show “Voices of Women.”
Gail has her Bachelors in Physical Education and Masters in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University.