This April, thousands of people all over Massachusetts joined the Alliance of YWCAs of Massachusetts for our first-ever joint Stand Against Racism campaign. Stand Against Racism is a nationwide YWCA USA movement. Every year, the STAND campaign brings people together to raise awareness and empower action toward eliminating racism. YW Boston has been hosting its own month-long Stand Against Racism campaign since 2010. This year, we teamed up with YWCA Cambridge, YWCA Central Massachusetts, YWCA Malden, YWCA Greater Newburyport, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts, and YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts ..read more

Each April, YWCAs across the country take action as a part of the Stand Against Racism campaign. We encourage our community to intentionally take time to learn, discuss, and reflect on the ways in which racism is embedded in our relationships, communities, and systems and how to resist oppression in all forms. This includes our public policy efforts. The first step towards anti-racist public policy is to acknowledge how policies have historically discriminated against communities of color. Without a thorough understanding of the past we cannot think about moving into a more equitable future. A ..read more

Thank you to the thousands, in Boston and beyond, who took part in our 2020 Stand Against Racism campaign. Our campaign spanned the month of April and inspired individuals and workplaces to take action to eliminate racism in Boston. We understand that everyone in our community has experienced changes as we have moved to physical distancing. We particularly appreciate that so many organizations and individuals, while adapting, remained committed to the important work of bringing light to the effects of systemic racism on our communities. Overall, 130 organizations and individuals  ..read more

On behalf of everyone at YW Boston, we extend our thoughts to our community during the current COVID-19 pandemic. We know this is a particularly difficult time for individuals with pre-existing health conditions, people who are economically vulnerable, and Asian Americans who may be subjected to increased racism and hostility. We consider the health and safety of our community to be our top priority. For this reason, YW Boston staff are working from home and we are developing plans to move forward with upcoming campaigns and programs remotely. Our Diversity & Inclusion services will be mov ..read more

Working to eliminate institutional racism is a goal we should all have for ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. As individuals, thinking about ending a deeply ingrained system of inequity can be daunting. But we do not have to do this alone. In fact, we should all invest in each other’s pursuit for racial equity. That is why every April, YW Boston hosts the Stand Against Racism campaign. Everyone can and should do their part to eliminate racism. Whether you (or your organization) has recently begun your anti-racist journey, or you have been active for years, Stand Against Racism ..read more

We at YW Boston are thrilled that so many Greater Boston community members participated in our 2019 Stand Against Racism campaign this April. Overall, 169 organizations and individuals signed up to host a total of 141 pledge boards and 128 conversations between an estimated 6,172 total participants. For the first time, YW Boston implemented Stand Against Racism peer-to-peer fundraising to amplify the impact of our campaign. Collectively, 5 fundraisers were able to raise nearly $3,000 in support of YW Boston’s STAND campaign and our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting ..read more

Stand Against Racism is less than a month away! We at YW Boston are excited to work with you and your communities to make this campaign impactful and long-lasting. We have put together this guide in which you will find information about the campaign, tips for amplifying your STAND message, and a toolkit including useful frameworks to help you host conversations about race and racism.   What is Stand Against Racism? Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact o ..read more

Fourteen months ago, Beth Chandler began her role as Interim President and CEO of YW Boston and last August assumed the role permanently. We are incredibly proud of the work that we at YW Boston have accomplished in this short period of time. This year, YW Boston impacted hundreds through our programs, advocacy, events, and community leadership. We would like to share 12 important accomplishments that helped further our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women in 2018. We could not have done it without you These accomplishments would not have been possible without supporters like you ..read more

Patriotism: (n) love for or devotion to one’s country as defined by Merriam-Webster   This July 4th, I celebrated my love for the United States. I am a patriotic person – it is hard not to be in Boston. The YW Boston office is a fifteen minute walk from the Freedom Trail, and there is history in every direction. I care deeply about my city, my state, and my country, which is why I strive to make our culture more tolerant, safe, and empowering for people of color. One way I demonstrate my love for my country is through protest. Last year, YW Boston participated in the Women’s March an ..read more

On April 5th, 2018, Michele Obama spoke at the Simmons College Leadership Conference in Boston.  As part of our #StandAgainstRacism campaign theme on civic engagement, we set out to find useful and powerful ideas that might help communities open up dialogues on leadership and civic life. One stand-out online publications this month, well aligned with the equity building work we are doing at YW Boston, came from the Simmons College Leadership Conference conversation with Michelle Obama. The one hour and twenty-three minute discussion on leadership, began with opening remarks from Boston Ma ..read more