The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. is calling on all individuals to join us in taking a Stand Against Racism on Thursday, April 28, 2016. The Stand Against Racism will unite our community in a discussion that delivers a clear message: racism can no longer be ignored nor tolerated as Racism Hurts Everyone.
Since the announcement of this year’s Stand Against Racism; themed, “On A Mission for Girls of Color”, our National YWCA USA CEO, Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron has had to defend this year’s focus. The responses to this year’s focus clearly demonstrates the need to address the many barriers faced by girls of color (black/African American, Latina, Asian, Native American, Indian, etc.) in our nation. Racism and sexism continues to be pervasive issues in our country,” states Daquetta Jones, Executive Director of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. The Stand Against Racism is one way we can come together as a community to constructively discuss racism, ways to circumvent and use it as an opportunity to educate others to effect change in our communities. We invite you to come take a Stand and Pledge Against Racism.
The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. will be hosting a moderated panel discussion titled, “On A Mission For Girls of Color” in their gymnasium at 21 First Street, Troy, NY 12180, from 12:00 pm until 1:30 pm. The panel will be moderated by Daquetta Jones, Executive Director of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. Panelists include: Anzala B. Alozie, J.D., Vice President of Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York; Carmen Duncan, CEO and Founder of Mission Accomplished; Geraldine Gutierrez, MSW, Program Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region; LuAnn L. McCormick, PhD, MSW, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Capital Region.
Researchers show that too often girls of color are left out of conversations about racial justice and gender equity. Public dialogue suggests that girls of color are “doing just fine” when compared with boys of color — but when we pay closer attention, we discover that girls of color are being disproportionately impacted by racism in ways that are unique to them.
Following the panel discussion, Girl Noticed, a national project, will be unveiling a creative and purposeful exterior mural. Artist, Lori Pratico and photographer, Elizabeth Sanjuan, will create an outside mural of three locally nominated girls of color, which will be done in charcoal on the exterior of our building (State Street side), with the message “NOTICE ME” on the wall. Weather conditions and time will naturally fade away the charcoal portrait. The Girl Noticed project provides a window of time to “NOTICE” the girls that will be featured in the Mural; representing the plight of girls that too often go “unnoticed” in our society!
Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This campaign is one part of our larger national strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism.
This year, our theme is ON A MISSION FOR GIRLS OF COLOR! We will amplify the national discussion about the impacts of institutional and structural racism on the lives of girls of color. In 2015, over 750 locations hosted Stand Against Racism events across 44 states! The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region was one of those locations. We collaborated with A More Welcoming, Inclusive and Safer Troy: Community Conversation and Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, LLC with over 100 community members in attendance.
Participants in the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism range from school children to elected officials, from executives of large corporations to church leaders, and many others. For more details, or to look up a participating site, visit: http://www.StandAgainstRacism.org. For local information, please contact Malissa Pilette-McClenon at malissap@ywca-gcr.org or call 518.274.7100.