RSJ Events

Equity For All (Formerly known as Stand Against Racism)

Every April, YWCAs across the nation host public events that engage in open and honest dialogue that confront stereotypes and bias as a community. The goal of the annual event is to unite our community in a bold demonstration that delivers a clear message: We are on a mission to eliminate racism.

Each courageous conversation provides an opportunity to broaden perspectives, learn new tools, and connect with a diverse community of citizens passionate about eliminating racism in our community.

THE PLEDGE

Learn more about Equity For All as a YWCA USA signature campaign. Click or tap the links below to view past Stand Against Racism events.

SAR 2022 | SAR 2021 | SAR 2020 | SAR 2019 | SAR 2018

Share about the event on social media with the hashtag #E4ASpokane

Racial Justice Challenge

The Equity Challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. (#BlackMind) and co-developed with Debby Irving and Dr. Marguerite Penick (#DiverseSolutions). The plan has been adopted by organizations, associations, and corporations all over the world. Dr. Moore is director of the Privilege Institute in Green Bay, WI., and created the Challenge to not only help people better understand issues surrounding equity, inclusion, privilege, leadership, and supremacy, but also to do so in a way that would build a habit of learning by stretching it a number of days.

Earlier this year, YWCA USA announced the launch of the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge. The Racial Justice Challenge is the action component for the Until Justice Just Is campaign, which will begin the month of September (locally) to raise awareness of systemic racism and how each of us can take action to advance justice.

The Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The Challenge works to foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to identify and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

2023 registration

Previously known as the Stand Against Racism Challenge, or 21-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge, the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge was developed by YWCA Greater Cleveland in 2019. YWCA USA is excited to be partnering again with YWCAs across the country to offer this unique virtual learning community to participants across the country.

For two weeks, daily challenge activities (reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience, etc.) are distributed via email and the website, allowing participants to connect with one another, discover how racial and social injustice impact our community, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. Daily activities are not posted on the weekends.

2022 Challenge | 2021 CHALLENGE | 2020 CHALLENGE

To continue the conversation and explore other topics, consider joining our RSJ Facebook Group.

Black History Month

February is recognized across the United States and Canada as Black History Month. Some have begun to refer to February as Black Herstory Month, celebrating Black women throughout history who have changed our world for the better.

Take a moment to read a recent blog post that acknowledges Black history as ongoing.

Make sure to visit our blog regularly and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to celebrate amazing local and national women making history and receive updates about upcoming news and events.

Check out the Black Business Directory curated by the Carl Maxey Center to ensure you’re supporting Black-owned businesses.

2022 BHM | 2021 BHM

Women’s March & Women’s History Month

Each March there is a celebration of Women’s History. As we celebrate the progress of women, we can’t forget that no woman is uplifted until all women are uplifted. Both Black history and women’s history are still being written in our community, and our efforts to progress each story rely on one another for mutual success.

YWCA Spokane, along with YWCA agencies across the nation, proudly support the annual Women’s March. The Women’s March is an opportunity for us to unite as a community and express our solidarity and commitment to the protection of the rights of all women. The Women’s March is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations, disabilities, and backgrounds to affirm our shared humanity and to stand in solidarity for social justice, racial equity, and women’s rights. Local marches take place in cities all around the nation and world.

Please consider joining YWCA Spokane as we gather and march together with other local agencies, individuals, and businesses for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Please follow us on social media to receive updates about the next Women’s March. Through unification and inclusion, we will light a fire of change. In solidarity, we will make a difference! Hear our voice!

2023 WHM | 2021 WHM

Transformations Camp

It is through our valued partnership with Jaime Stacy and Strong Women Achieving Greatness (SWAG) that we are able to bring Transformations Camp back to the Spokane community after a two year pause due to COVID. In addition to championing this camp, Jaime has done an incredible job of lifting up and supporting young people in our community through her work at SWAG and through Garry and Shaw Middle Schools and at Rogers High School.

This week long, empowerment camp, facilitated by Jaime Stacey, centers the experience of 11-16 year olds who identify as young women of color. We cannot express enough how amazing Jaime is as a facilitator and leader in Spokane. It has been inspiring to watch her light up young people with sincere passion, care, joy, and love.

Read Jaime’s Racial and Social Justice Partner Spotlight here.

2022 Camp Recap | 2022 Self Care RECAP

pathways forward

Pathways Forward is a free, virtual, educational, roundtable discussion series designed to pave a path forward by engaging the community in conversations with local experts, leaders, and YWCA staff members.

With our Pathways Forward discussions we work to engage the community in learning about current issues affecting our work and mission, and empower everyone to make change.

VIEW PAST EVENTS

Spokane PRIDE

Each June, the Spokane community comes together to celebrate LGBTQ+ liberation during national PRIDE month. PRIDE is an annual celebration that honors the brave individuals who fought back against police raids in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York. Our team at YWCA Spokane is excited to participate in the parade and celebration each year, as well as in the annual resource fair.

In 2022, YWCA Spokane was proud to participate in the Pride Parade & Festival, brought back by Spokane Pride!

PRIDE 2023 | PRIDE 2022 | PRIDE 2021 | PRIDE 2020

Monthly Diversity Calendar

Each month, we are excited to share with you a calendar of local and national activities, events, and resources that celebrate diversity created by Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora. Consider bookmarking this page and check back often to learn about engagement opportunities happening in Spokane and across the nation.

MONTHLY CALENDAR