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Background on the YWCA's Racial Justice Work and Current Activities

In 1970, as part of the YWCA USA, the YWCA of Boulder County took on the One Imperative, which reads “The Association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.” As an association of the YWCA USA, the YWCA of Boulder County stands with its sister YWCA’s is a long line of action against racism in our communities and in our nation.

The YWCA USA has always been a leader in its efforts to eliminate racism, working on these important issues long before others. In 1915, the YWCA of Louisville, KY hosted the first-ever interracial conference held in southern states. In 1924, the YWCA integrated its National Board, electing an African American women to serve. During World War II, when Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps, YWCA’s across the county opened up their doors to help families prepare for resettlement after the war. In 1960, the YWCA Atlanta became the first desegregated public dining facility in that city. Since then, the YWCA USA has been committed to the elimination of racism, establishing an Office of Racial Justice in 1965, and in 2001, re-branding to include the elimination of racism in the YWCA logo.

Locally, the YWCA of Boulder County represents the strong organizational history and commitment to eliminating racism. For many years, the YWCA of Boulder County has been actively working to educate the Boulder County community about the impacts of racism and white privilege. In 2000, the YWCA of Boulder County hosted a White Privilege Forum, bringing together a cross-section of Boulder residents to discuss this important issue. In the past six years, the YWCA of Boulder County has also brought Peggy McIntosh to Boulder to conduct a workshop on white privilege, hosted screenings and discussions on the films The Color of Fear and Last Chance for Eden, organized a two-day Unlearning Racism Retreat with famed diversity facilitator, Lee Mun Wah, and participated in a variety of community groups working to address racism.

To learn more or become involved, please contact us at 303.443.0419.

Race in America Book Club

In conjunction with Reading to End Racism, the YWCA offers a Race in America Book Club. This group meets from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd. in Boulder. If you are interested in attending these meetings, or would like more information, please contact us at 303.443.0419, or email at frontdesk@ywcaboulder.org.

To learn more about Reading to End Racism, please visit their web site.

Upcoming Books

Sept 3 - The Devil's Highway:  A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea

Oct 1 - Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

Nov 5 - Boxing for Cuba by Guillermo Vincente Vidal

Dec 3 - The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf

We encourage you to find these book selections at the Boulder Book Store. Or, you can click on links below to link to www.amazon.com and the YWCA will receive a portion of the proceeds.

Looking for additional books addressing race and racism? Visit our Suggested Reading page for additional books that have been discussed in our Race in America Book Club meetings.

Future Efforts

The YWCA of Boulder County is currently looking at ways to encourage our community to become engaged in dialogues around race and racism. Our organization aims to be a place where people can come together in a safe environment to discuss these important issues and to serve as a catalyst to raise awareness about the impacts of racism.

The YWCA thanks Roche Colorado for serving as a supporting sponsor of the YWCA's Dialogues on Diversity series which includes the book club and Conversations on Race as well as other community initiatives.

Public Policy Committee

The YWCA of Boulder County is committed to advocating on behalf of women and children. The Public Policy Committee is dedicated to educating themselves about social issues and taking action when appropriate.

The public policy agenda of the YWCA of Boulder County is aligned with the YWCA USA’s focus. The core advocacy issues are as follows: elimination of racism; hate crimes legislation; elimination of violence against women; increasing women’s income; welfare reform; and affordable early childhood education.  The Public Policy Committee welcomes anyone who is willing to engage in dialogue and action around the issues listed above.

As part of the Public Policy Committee, Boulder County Movement for Children is a volunteer group that advocates for policies that ensure the well-being of all children in Boulder County. This group annually produces the Status of Children Report and hosts a legislative forum.

To learn more about Public Policy efforts, please contact 303.443.0419 or email at frontdesk@ywcaboulder.org.

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