"Be bold. Be courageous. Stand up. Speak up. Speak out and find a way to create the beloved community, the beloved world, a world of peace, a world that will recognize the dignity of all humankind."
-John Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020)

Dear beloved community,

Like many of you, today I watched the funeral services of Congressman John Lewis - freedom rider, civil rights leader, and the conscience of the U.S. Congress, whose advocacy and call for justice was instrumental to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As YWCA Glendale engages in the work to build a more just and equitable Glendale through our newly established Coalition for an Antiracist Glendale, I am holding the work of Congressman Lewis at the front of my heart and mind. John Lewis inspired us to be better - to be courageous in naming and standing up to racism, intolerance and injustice. He understood deeply that the work to achieve racial equity and systemic change is a marathon and not a sprint. He understood the importance of acknowledging the harms of the past in order to move forward and build a beloved community. He maintained hope and practiced peace in the face adversity. And he centered joy in his work.

Today, I invite you to join me in honoring Congressman Lewis’ memory and legacy in the following ways:

  • REGISTER TO VOTE

  • PARTICIPATE IN THE 2020 CENSUS

  • STAND UP TO RACISM, INTOLERANCE AND INJUSTICE

I leave you tonight with John Lewis' love letter to those on the frontlines of the social change taking place today:

" Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring."

With gratitude and dreams for a more equitable Glendale,
Tara Peterson
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Glendale
GET OUT THE VOTE 2020

"The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed." - John Lewis

Civic engagement is a top priority for YWCA Glendale and it starts with awareness, education, and participation. We are proud to partner with When We All Vote, a non-profit, non-partisan organization launched by Michelle Obama in 2018. When We All Vote is on a mission to change the culture around voting, increase participation in every election, and help close the race and age voting gap. Together, we will work towards changing the culture around voting—starting with you. Your voice and your vote count! We ask that you take a moment to make sure you are registered to vote or to register. Registration takes just a few minutes. Below are helpful links:

Register to vote: www.whenweallvote.org/ywca/

Make sure your voter registration is active: www.whenweallvote.org/check-registration/

Have you moved or changed your name since you last voted? Update your voter registration at: www.usa.gov/change-voter-registration
Y WOMEN COUNT: CENSUS 2020

The 2020 Census is not just a headcount - it determines political representation and the distribution of over $675 billion in federal funding to communities to create jobs, fund K-12 education, provide housing and key social services and address core infrastructure needs. Promoting an accurate census gets to the very heart of YWCA’s mission: eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. 

Individuals and communities that the census has trouble reaching are called “hard-to-count.” Communities who are undercounted incur detrimental impacts such as disproportionately low federal funding, under-representation in federal, state, and local government, and insufficient civil rights protections. At the YWCA Glendale, we center women, children, and families from these hard-to-count communities: communities of color, persons experiencing homelessness, and survivors of domestic violence. Because of the invaluable services the YWCA Glendale provides, our staff and volunteers serve and interact with these individuals and communities every day. We are proud to share that Ariana Chavez, YWCA Glendale’s Domestic Violence Outreach and Education Specialist, has been participating in the City of Glendale’s Census Committee, to ensure that survivors of domestic violence and those who have been displaced from their homes due to domestic violence, are counted in our City’s 2020 Census. If you have not done so already, please fill out your online census form today! 
735 East Lexington Drive
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: 1-(818) 242-4155
Support YWCA Glendale's mission to eliminate racism and empower women