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63 area organizations
took a stand against racism april 30
Friday, April 30 was a milestone for the YWCA of Charleston, as we joined the YWCA's national  Stand Against Racism for the first time. Sixty-three area businesses, churches and organizations shared our vision of eliminating racism once and for all by participating and hosting their own "stands" last Friday.
Our most sincere thanks to everyone who hosted an event, promoted the stand, attended an event, or helped in any other way. Check out the list of public events that happened all across the region, or view our online photo album.
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eliminating racism artwork
174 submissions received!
174 unique and powerful entries were submitted by artists of all ages to the 2nd annual
YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest. Thank you to all who participated, and to the Clay Center for again installing and hosting our exhibit from April
27 - May 2 in their main ticketing lobby.
"Blacking out Racism" by Valerie Ray was our Best in Show winner, and is featured in the header at the top of this e-newsletter. Read our list of contest winners or check out our online photo album of the winning pieces plus some additional staff and crowd favorites.
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bag sale & clothing swaps
at ywca past & present shop
 It's the monthly $3 Bag Sale this weekend at YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Shop -
only better! Check out $3 Mystery Bags, $3
Stuff-A-Bags on
Friday and Saturday, plus on Saturday stop by during extended hours
8am-4pm for the East End Yard Sale and get $1 Sidewalk Deals on shoes and
more. Don't forget to browse the boutique for 50% off and 75%
off selected items!Friday, May 7- 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
(Boutique open until 6:00 pm) Saturday,
May 8 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Boutique
open until 5:00 pm)  Also, join YWCA Past & Present, The Folded Leaf, and Mission Savvy in a Spring Fashion Afternoon: "Reuse, Recycle, Reglam." The afternoon will include a clothing swap, closet clean-out for donations, and eco-friendly sustainable summer styles. Saturday, May 15 - 12:00 to 4:00 pmThe Folded Leaf - 1009 Bridge Road
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calling all hostesses
for this year's "luau on the lawn" themed girls night out!
Aloha! Save the date for fun in the sun
as we plan for this year's Girls  Night
Out - Luau on the Lawn. The Girls
Night Out committee again hopes to recruit 100 ladies to serve as
hostesses for the premiere women's event of the summer, scheduled for Thursday, August 12. Hostess levels are Hibiscus ($200), Orchid ($300) and Bird of Paradise ($500), and committees such as gift bag, auction, raffle, decorations, entertainment, volunteers and more still need many more hostesses to sign up!
Questions about becoming a Girls Night Out hostess? Email girlsnightoutcharleston@gmail.com. Ready to sign up today? Call Carol Carroll at (304) 340-3573 or bring your payment to the YWCA.
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meet ellen allen
the newest member of the ywca team
We are pleased to welcome Ellen Allen as the new Director of the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program!
Prior to joining the YWCA team,
Ellen served as Director of
the Family Refuge Center - a licensed domestic violence and sexual
assault program in Lewisburg, WV. Before beginning her work to help end
violence against women, Ellen worked in the private sector and operated
her own businesses in two states, though her career has long included
social activism. She was appointed to the WV Human Rights Commission in
2006 by Governor Joe Manchin, and is a past member of the WV Women's
Commission. Ellen currently serves on the WV Coalition Against
Domestic Violence Board of Directors and the WV Foundation for Rape and
Information Services. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer on the
dynamics of domestic violence at the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine. A
graduate of Concord University, Ellen holds an MBA from Averett
University in Danville, Virginia. Contact Ellen at eallen@ywcacharleston.org. |
stop the hate rally recap
april 8 was a day for love & acceptance
On April 8, the YWCA helped lead our community in one united, public statement: West Virginia is No Place for Hate. Teaming with leaders from entities across our valley and state, we quickly organized this event on the front steps of the WV State Capitol in response to targeted words and demonstrations of hatred toward various institutions in our community.
Collectively, we encouraged all citizens who sought to stand up and speak out against hate to participate in this powerful event - moving the spotlight away from hate and toward positive expressions of peace, love and inclusiveness. Despite the drizzle, more than 300 citizens from all walks of life joined our chorus of reassurance and care for victims of hatred and intimidation. Thanks to all who helped make this initiative possible! If you couldn't attend, check out our event photos here.
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taking a stand
The following is a blog post excerpt by Robin A Holstein, who
discusses her direct experience with acts of racism and intimidation
(including her car being egged) while organizing a Stand Against Racism
event in Rand, WV last week.
ROBIN HOLSTEIN: When I was the young bride of a
soldier in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, I felt the
stares and noticed the whispers when I went out with other soldiers'
wives. They were African-American. I am not. Some years ago after running into a
local police officer I knew, an ex-husband cursed me and "ordered" me to
never hug a black man again. Recently, family members have argued and
struggled with their own insecurities because a biracial child was going
to be born into our family. Many still struggle, two years later. At my age, I have seen many acts of
intimidation. I've been shouted at, cursed, and punched. I've had
people go behind my back and spread untrue stories. I've had people
disclose very painful, personal events in an attempt to embarrass and
upset me. Nothing has made me stop and shake my head as what I saw the
morning of April 25, 2010. Eggs,
splattered against the front fender of my truck overnight. Eggs that
were thrown in a childish, passive-aggressive attempt at intimidation.
The act intended to send some message of disapproval, done in the cover
of darkness, by someone who dared not speak to me in person. The sun was not quite up when I
left, so by the time I noticed the goo on my truck, I had already driven
25 miles. I did not need Jack Bauer to tell me, I knew what prompted
the vandal. I was hosting a Stand
Against Racism event. The only question was what would do more
good? Do I draw attention to it or do I let it go as if nothing
happened? Continue reading the rest of this blog post HERE>> |
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