Wilmington, DE – April 1, 2024 — YWCA Delaware proudly announces its participation alongside over two hundred YWCAs nationwide in launching the Racial Justice Challenge today.

This transformative Challenge, available in English and Spanish, unfolds online over four weeks. As a virtual community, participants will immerse themselves into the timely issues of bodily autonomy, women’s financial empowerment (which includes childcare and dependent care), gun violence, and transportation.

Through the YWCA USA Racial Justice Challenge iPhone or Android app or by using the Challenge website, participants can engage with one or all curated articles, podcasts, videos, activities, and discussion boards. 

Each Monday, YWCA Delaware hosts its virtual "Let's Talk" panel series from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and discusses the preceding week’s topic. Each session provides a platform for Delawareans to share their professional, academic, volunteer, or lived experiences relating to the weekly themes of the Racial Justice Challenge. These discussions aim to elevate community engagement and foster public awareness regarding issues affecting our local communities. The series includes the following guest speakers:

April 8, Let’s Talk Reproductive Justice

• Brittany Williams, Founder and CEO of the Black Girl Health Collective 
• Mara Gorman, Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of Delaware 

April 15, Let’s Talk Women’s Financial Empowerment

• Ayanna Khan, Founder, President & CEO of Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce

April 22, Let’s Talk Gun Violence

• Mariann Kenville-Moore, Director of Advocacy & Policy at the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
• Traci Manza Murphy, Executive Director at Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence
• Guest Speaker from The Center for Structural Equity

April 29, Let’s Talk Transportation 

• La Vaida Owens-White, Board President of Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families 
• Marissa McClenton, Environmental Justice Associate Organizer at the Sierra Club, Delaware Chapter 
• Sean T. O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware and President of the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA)

Melissa Gonville, CEO of YWCA Delaware said, “It’s very inspiring to see so many Delawareans coming together in an inclusive and empathetic space to talk about reproductive decisions, barriers women face to financial empowerment, what we can do to break the cycles of violence, and what a world where freedom of movement is accessible to everyone looks like. This challenge is an opportunity for growth and open to everyone.” 

The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is designed to help participants build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.

“This Challenge is an educational and motivational experience that helps us understand that while throughout history certain laws lead to racial inequities, we can come together to build community and realize a world of equity for all,” emphasized Becca Cotto, YWCA Delaware Director of Racial and Social Justice.

In tandem with the Challenge, YWCA USA will host a virtual Until Justice Just Is Town Hall: Bridges to Equity on Thursday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. which will feature a panel of activists, advocates, and YWCA leaders to discuss how they each advance racial equity in their communities, and how you can get involved in bridge-building efforts to help realize a world of equity for all. Click here to register.

Tune in to hear from: 

• Adrienne Maree Brown, Writer, Activist, Facilitator, Doula 
• Areeba Haider, Senior Executive Administrator & Research Manager, National Partnership for Women and Families 
• Francesca Rattray, CEO of YWCA San Antonio 
• Nicole R. Robinson, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 
• Joyce Levingston, MA CNP, Executive Director of YWCA Black Hawk County 

YWCA Delaware's Racial Justice Challenge partners include, ACLU of Delaware, Archmere Academy, Children and Families First, the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative, the Friendship House, Healthy Communities Delaware, Network Connect, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Delaware Chapter, the Racial Equity Consortium, the United Way of Delaware, Westminster Church, and the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew.

More information about YWCA's Until Justice Just Is campaign can be found at https://www.ywcade.org/racial-justice-challenge.

ABOUT YWCA DELAWARE

Founded in 1895, YWCA Delaware is committed to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. As a leading association among a national network of more than 200 YWCAs, YWCA Delaware touches the lives of thousands of women and families annually through the delivery of comprehensive human services. YWCA Delaware is a leader in the areas of economic empowerment, housing, racial and social justice, domestic violence and sexual assault response, and youth development. With a 24/7 crisis helpline and centers located in Wilmington, New Castle, and Georgetown, YWCA Delaware serves as a highly effective, inclusive and uplifting force that empowers women and their families to achieve their full social and economic potential. Learn more at www.ywcade.org and follow @ywcade on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

ABOUT YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving approximately 2 million women, girls, and their families. YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. For more information, visit ywca.org.

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