Residents Take Pledge to Stand Against Racism

NEWBURGH – As part of a national awareness campaign, YWCA Orange County joined with YWCA’s across the country to take a Stand Against Racism the last week of April. The initiative invited community members to join in the fight for social and racial justice in our county and our country. 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 of institutional and structural racism in our communities.

Stand Against Racism, part of a larger national strategy to fulfill YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, was recognized by YWCA organizations across the nation from April 27 – 30. During that time, YWCA Orange County asked residents to join them in taking a pledge against racism.

Poster-sized copies of the pledge were on display at locations throughout Orange County for concerned community members to sign on with their support. The pledge opens with the following statement – “YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. I am taking a stand against racism with YWCA and hundreds of thousands of people across the country, join us this week during YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism – and every day.”

“It is our hope that by sharing the pledge at different locations in the county, YWCA helped to start conversations, create opportunities, and encourage program development to fight systemic, institutional racism in our communities,” said Christine Sadowski, YWCA Orange County Executive Director. “We see in the news each day that there is a continued need for social justice. We hope that the pledge will bring attention to the need and get  people talking about the issues that are impacting our communities so profoundly.”

The Pledge was on display at various locations throughout Orange County over the four day period. Community leaders, health care and education professionals, students, and residents were among the hundreds who took the pledge with YWCA for a Stand Against Racism.

The complete pledge language and more information about the Stand Against Racism campaign can be found at www.standagainstracism.org or by calling YWCA Orange County at 845.561.8050.

YWCA seeks to create greater access to opportunities and resources for people of color, working especially with youth and women to recognize inequalities and explore solutions for change, and providing education and opportunities for community-wide discussion of racism.