What can you do to advance justice and lift others in these times?

Dear Friends,

I often hear people say they don’t know what they, as individuals, can do to advance justice and lift up others in this era of disinformation, discourtesy, and discord.

This is when I point to the work of YWCA Evanston/North Shore – work that, for nearly a century, has led to incremental change, not always because of the spirit of the times, but often despite it.

You can deepen your commitment to this work! Join us on March 2 for a film screening and panel discussion. Attend our Equity Summit on March 19. Serve as a financial coach through our Advancement Project. Shop, donate, or volunteer at the YWCA Shop for Good. Make a gift that gives all children access to swimming lessons. Make plans to Stand Against Racism. Save Sunday, June 21 for the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate.

As we like to say, “We’re not new to this; we’re true to this.” Thank you for being true to this, too.

Karen Singer

President/CEO

"We were sharing without judgement"

This is what one participant said about attending a racial healing circle in January. She, along with several YWCA staffers, were interviewed about YWCA’s racial healing circles on “Everything Evanston,” a podcast produced by The Daily Northwestern. Listen or read the transcript here.

Helping teens navigate relationships in the Internet Age

Should you look at your partner’s phone without permission?

Should you share passwords?

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and Hallie Cohen, one of our violence prevention educators, helps young people navigate this challenging landscape.

Read more here.

Join us for our 2020 Equity Summit!

TRANSFORMATION IN THE NEW DECADE

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Norris Center, Northwestern University

The annual Equity Summit gathers our collective resources in one place for a summit designed to move us – as individuals and as systems – to transformation.

The goal is to bring together municipal, organizational, faith-based and business leaders, educators, activists and individual citizens to deepen their understanding of their own racial and gender identities, develop skills to work for change, formulate action plans and engage with others.

This year’s Equity Summit will feature acclaimed journalists Jamelle Bouie and Natalie Moore. View our full list of breakout topics and speakers here. Learn more and register here. This is an event you won’t want to miss. Space is filling fast!

Jamelle Bouie is a columnist for the New York Times and political analyst for CBS News. He covers U.S. politics, public policy, elections, and race.

Natalie Moore, WBEZ’s South Side reporter, is the author of "The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation."

YWomen nominations due by March 1

Do you know an extraordinary local woman who has made a positive impact in women’s empowerment or racial justice? Nominate her to be a YWomen honoree for 2020. All nominations are due by March 1, 2020.

Save the date! Our 2020 YWomen Leadership Celebration will take place at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston on Saturday, October 17.