Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community and raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This program builds community among those who work for racial justice, raises awareness about racism, and encourages community members to take action for change. This campaign is part of our larger YWCA national strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism.
The YWCA supports measures at the national, state, and local levels to advance and ensure human rights for women and girls around the world. As a founding member of the World YWCA, YWCA USA supports the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a comprehensive, international agreement on eliminating discrimination against women in every sphere – economic, political, and social. The YWCA’s approach to racial justice goes beyond changing hearts and minds. We strive to transform communities, systems, and public policy. Past issue priorities have included hate crimes, immigration reform, voting rights, and fair housing.
The Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix is committed to taking a stand to eliminate racism and promote inclusion and tolerance.
Every year the YWCA has a national day of dialogue on how we can “Stand Against Racism” by organizing brown bag lunch discussions in social and working environments throughout the United States. The YWCA’s Stand Against Racism Program provides an opportunity to shine a light on racism and discuss real solutions.
Today, women make up 57 percent of the labor force and currently outpace men in obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees. Despite these statistics, women, and women of color specifically, are still underrepresented in leadership roles across fields and sectors. For example, women of color comprise only 6% of elected officials nationwide. In Congress, there are only 40 sitting women of color out of 535 seats.
We are convinced that now, more than ever, leaders in the private non-profit and for-profit sectors must do more to change our communities, stop the intolerance and improve people’s lives. This change can take place in our conference rooms, living rooms and community centers.
On April 28, 2017, we ask you to join us in this Arizona state-wide movement “Stand Against Racism Day”. We provide all the materials you need to participate and organize a circle discussion to raise awareness about the destructive impact of racism and what we can do to address the issue.
We acknowledge your experience and wisdom in making change in our communities. And, perhaps even more importantly, we seek your feedback on how we can work together through collaboration, projects, service, and advocacy to create an on-going, daily dialogue that is a catalyst for real and sustainable change in our community.
Our message must be loud and clear so that we can transform hate into love and forever improve the quality of life for all who live in our state, nation and world.