Racial Justice

The YWCA has a long history of bringing together (and serving) women and families of all races, long before the word "integration" was even on our nation's lips. In 1921, the Nashville YWCA opened the Blue Triangle Branch for African American women. In the 1930s, the YWCA encouraged members to speak out against lynching and mob violence, for interracial cooperation rather than segregation and for efforts to protect African Americans' basic civil rights. In 1946, the YWCA adopted its Interracial Charter - eight years before the United States Supreme Court decision against segregation.

Today, we carry this commitment forward with new intention. Our Racial Justice Committee has authored a paper on eliminating racism approved by the full board that states clearly our position and intention. It is the thread that weaves through everything we do, from hiring practices to training staff who work with our clients to making certain those in current programs understand the problem of racism to charting new programs that raise awareness and foster change in the wider community. As always, we believe education is fundamental to all positive change and is the core of how we at the YWCA work to eliminate racism.

Our Racial Justice committee is currently planning Stand Against Racism, to be held on April 30, 2010. We hope that you can join us for the event. There is also an opportunity to take the online pledge against racism. The committee conducts ongoing activities with Girls Inc. at the YWCA participants (ages 9 - 14) and other community organizations.

Community Events:

New Exhibition at State Museum Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Tennessee Sit-Ins

Suggested Resources and Quotes:

Remember As You Pass Me By by L. King Perez

A child shall lead them: two days in September 1957; the desegregation of Nashville Public Schools written and produced by John Egerton, Terrie Lawrence, and Rachel Lawson

"For it isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it.
One must work at it.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list." -- Dennis Leary