Written by Martha Barry, PhD, Chief Racial Justice Officer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin What is Women’s Equality Day? The National Women’s History Alliance states “At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 and passed in 1973, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.” The date was selected to commemorate the 1920… Continue Reading Women’s Equality Day. Voting.

Written by John Contreras, Racial Justice Community Engagement Manager, YWCA SEW As Minority Mental Health Month continues, the chance to reflect on how important maintaining my mental health is clear. As a person of color, I was often met with ridicule for discussing my mental health, or suggesting support for others via a therapist. Unfortunately,… Continue Reading Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Written by Martha Barry, PhD, Chief Racial Justice Officer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin Our nation is facing yet another moment of truth. Horrific killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, at the hands of law enforcement, have brought us to this critical juncture. But they follow the deaths of Stephon Clark, Laquan McDonald, Tamir Rice, Eric… Continue Reading Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride

Written by Ginny Finn, President and CEO, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin In this nation, almost every month of the year we are marking some celebration or historical theme. Among May celebrations, in particular, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It is one avenue – only one – for us to learn about the multiple cultures… Continue Reading Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Written by Martha Barry, PhD, Chief Racial Justice Officer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin The pandemic crisis of COVID-19 leaves us rethinking our personal skills (washing our hands for second seconds, physical distancing, learning to use technology to keep in touch with loved ones) along with maintaining perspectives on our global interconnectedness. We see how Asian Americans… Continue Reading Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month    

Written by John Contreras, Racial Justice Community Engagement Manager International Women’s Day reminds me of how much privilege I have had throughout my life. As a man, I realize that the struggles I see in my everyday life are vastly different from what my peers of other genders experience. It reminds me of a conversation… Continue Reading International Women’s Day

Written by Dynasty Ceasar, Racial Justice Trainer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin There’s something undoubtedly powerful about the use of the word “I”. Saying “I” enforces power over what is being said and how a person wants to be viewed. Using it layers every syllable and message conveyed through punctuation thereafter with an incredible amount of responsibility… Continue Reading Melt Not Our Experiences

Written by Dynasty Ceasar, Racial Justice Trainer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin Earlier this week, I found myself on a Lyft ride in the back of Mr. Willie G.’s Jeep Cherokee. Mr. G struck up a conversation about the intricacies of youth and aging, but we quickly transitioned to a discussion on race and racism as we… Continue Reading Narrative is King

Dear Racial Justice fans, mavens and aficionados, Welcome to my final blog as leader of YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.  Effective December 31, I will retire making this my final Racial Justice post with reflections about our work. We revived the YWCA’s Racial Justice work in late 2005, the year following the update to YWCA USA’s mission… Continue Reading Words from Paula Penebaker

Written by Martha Barry, Chief Racial Justice Officer, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin November is Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month. Saturday, November 16 is International Day for Tolerance. As we think about those two different items, my attention is drawn to connecting and thinking about Native people. In what now constitutes the boundaries of Wisconsin, Native people… Continue Reading Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month