Racial & Gender Equity

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YWCA Central Massachusetts is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Racial Equity

YWCA is intentional in applying the principles of our mission – eliminating racism and empowering women – to everything we do. Our mission informs and directs our programming, culture, and systems.

We are committed to dismantling racism by educating individuals, organizations, institutions, and communities. Through our racial equity work, the YWCA is helping to create a cultural shift that supports systemic, structural change throughout Central Massachusetts.

Our Impact

We will reduce systemic inequities, such as racial and gender disparities, to improve outcomes for people of color and women in Central Massachusetts by targeting organizational, systemic, and individual change.

Click the tabs below for information about YWCA’s Racial and Gender Equity programs, initiatives, and events.

Racial Equity Workshops

YWCA’s Racial Equity program provides an opportunity to develop a foundational understanding of the systems that uphold racism.

Workshops are facilitated by experts in racial equity, including our Director of Racial and Gender Equity.  WE deliver these programs remotely, in person, or through a combination of delivery methods. Workshops can be customized to meet the needs of organizations, groups, businesses, and institutions – our partners in this work.

Talking about racism is hard, but necessary. Let us help.

For more information about the YWCA’s Racial Equity Workshops, please   click here.

Consulting

The YWCA offers race and gender equity consulting to organizations, companies, government agencies, and grassroots groups. The YWCA can help you take stock of your organization’s culture, policies, procedures, and overall social impact in the community.

We can help your organization transform its beliefs, assumptions, behaviors, strategies, and structures so that you can conduct your organization’s work in a way that promotes racial and gender equity.

For more information about the YWCA’s race and gender equity consulting, please   click here.

Stand Against Racism
YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism is part of a nationwide YWCA movement that brings together people from all walks of life to raise awareness of and empower action toward eliminating racism. In recent years, more than 140 organizations have participated, pledging to stand with the YWCA.

Click here for more information about the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism.

Want to get involved in STAND Against Racism? Contact dhardy@ywcacm.org.

 

International Women’s Day: No Gender Justice without Racial Justice
International Women’s Day is a worldwide event celebrating the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. YWCA Central Massachusetts celebrates this important day with an inspiring community program that uplifts women.

Click here for more information about the YWCA’s International Women’s Day Event.

Fall Forum
YWCA Central Massachusetts’s Fall Forum provides the opportunity to hear from thought leaders and to engage in dialogue on intersection of race and gender inequities.

 

YWomen Speak Series
Pioneered at YWCA Central Massachusetts, Y-Women Speak consists of 9 monthly facilitated conversations focusing on the intersection of race and gender and the way racism impacts women of color and white women differently. Topics include racial justice and civil rights, race and gender, economic advancement , and health and safety. The goal of Y-Women Speak is to create awareness about racism and inspire a sisterhood movement to dismantle it.

For more information about the YWomen Speak Series, contact Maritza Cruz, Director of Racial and Gender Equity at mcruz@ywcacm.org.

Racial & Gender Equity