March 22, 2019
YWCA Receives Grant from Google
Google.org is awarding $5 million to YWCA USA, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and UnidosUS, as part of the company’s larger $25 million commitment in 2019 to increase Black and Latinx students’ access to computer science and artificial intelligence education across the U.S. YWCA USA will receive a grant totaling $2 million over three years to support YWCA’s STEM E3 (Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship) program, which works with young women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). YWCA STEM E3 curriculum helps young women and girls of color build the confidence and skills required for future careers in computer science and artificial intelligence. View pictures from the Google launch event, and read more about our partnership.
Young Leaders in DC for Biden Foundation’s YouthLEADS
This week, YWCA USA was thrilled to host four YWCA youth leaders in Washington, DC for the launch of the Biden Foundation’s YouthLEADS report. Youth LEADS (Leverage, Energize, and Define Solutions) is an initiative that speaks directly to young people about their experiences with violence and their hopes for the future to give youth the support they need to combat violence in their communities. India Reddick and Chyla Collins from YWCA Greater Baton Rouge, along with Taylor Butler and Trammela Williams from YWCA Minneapolis, spoke on a panel about their experiences and articulated what they need to succeed as youth leaders in their communities. Watch a livestream recording of the event.
Honoring Dorothy Height on Her Birthday (March 24)
On what would have been her 107th birthday, YWCA honors the life and legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. As a former YWCA leader, Dr. Height played an instrumental role in our organizational structure. During her time at YWCA, she created diverse programs and oversaw the integration of all YWCAs nationwide, and she established YWCA’s Center for Racial Justice. She was integral to YWCA adopting our One Imperative, “to eliminate racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.”
To honor Dr. Height’s legacy and commitment for racial justice and women’s rights, we are excited to announce our partnership with Smith College to preserve over 1 million YWCA records. Highlights from the digitized collection include one-of-a-kind photographs and letters that document examples of YWCA’s work around the world; YWCA activities during and between both world wars; and young women’s education, health, and well-being across the 20th century. The collection's finding aid is the best overview of everything we have, which paired with the Compass link of digitized materials, makes for our two major access points to the collection.
We are grateful for Dr. Height and her many years of service to YWCA, and for shaping our values and framework as an organization committed to racial justice. We are thankful to Smith College for helping to preserve our mission so that we remain true for another 160 years and onwards
Sphere and YWCA Intranet Shutdown
Register now for our Public Policy Updates Webinar on Wednesday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT. We will be joined by Lisa Coffman and April Mitchell from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share more information about their work and answer questions you may have on the HUD office, funding opportunities and their programs. If you have a question for Lisa and April, please fill out this form.
Stand Against Racism: ONE Month Away!
We are only a few weeks away from YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism campaign. Be sure to register your events and encourage your partners, friends, and other groups in your community to register as well, so we can track our national impact! As a reminder, once you register a profile, you can log-in to access the online toolkit and register your events. Questions? Contact standagainstracism@ywca.org.
Advocacy Actions of the Week
- The Paycheck Fairness Act is headed to the House floor for a vote the week of March 25. Let’s join with our allies to pull out all the stops – call your Representatives on Monday and urge them to vote YES. You can also join the conversation by following and using hashtag #PaycheckFairnessAct on Twitter.
- The American DREAM and Promise Act of 2019 Introduction The American DREAM and Promise Act of 2019 was introduced on March 12 with over 200 original co-sponsors. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor the American DREAM and Promise Act of 2019 and support immediate passage of a “clean” bill, free of immigration enforcement legislation that could harm immigrant communities. Take action now.
- Pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 On March 7, the Violence Against Women Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives for re-authorization. Last week, it went through Committee markup and is scheduled for a floor vote the week of April 1. Join YWCA USA in pushing for the passage of H.R.1585 by taking action now to urge your Representative to vote YES.
Important Dates
Questions about what you read today? Contact
communications@ywca.org.#NationalCommunications#WeeklyWrap-up