Racial Justice

50th Anniversary Human Rights Advocate Honor

YWCA has been named a recipient of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission’s 50th Anniversary Human Rights Advocate honor.  “This honor is given to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact (in their local community and across the state) in advancing human rights,” said Beverly L. Watts, Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.  YWCA was selected as the Nashville honoree.  The YWCA was recognized by the Commission on February 28, 2013 during a reception at the Tennessee State Museum.

A Nashville Freedom Seder Held on Tuesday, April 9th

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. Information and Resources

Click here to stand with us by taking our pledge to stand against racism.

If you would like more information on programs/events related to racial justice please contact jan.shipp@ywcanashville.com.