Public Policy and Advocacy - YWCA Boulder County

Take Action, Get Educated, and Prepared to be an Ally:

Being an Antiracist – Virtual Training Series

We have designed a three-part training and discussion series called “Being an Antiracist”, for individuals who are committed to learning more about the personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural systems of racism that can lead to informed action and transformation of a community determined to end racism. When we choose to be antiracist, we become actively conscious of race and racism, and take actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives. Being antiracist is the belief that racism is everyone’s problem, and we all have a role to play in stopping it. We ask that participants commit to attending all three sessions when they register, since the information will build on previous sessions.

We have currently reached full capacity for the first round of this training series. Please add your name and contact info to the wait-list so that we can contact you about future sessions.

Changing Policy to Dismantle Structural Racism

Reforming the criminal justice system requires immediate action. Colorado Senate Bill-217 was introduced on Wednesday, June 3 and addresses specific legislation to enhance law enforcement integrity. The bill is currently under consideration in the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Senate Committee. Learn more about CO SB217 here.

Please contact your state representatives today and ask them for their support in passing CO SB217.

Representative Edie Hooton – House District 10 (and Democratic Caucus Chair)
303-866-2915
edie.hooton.house@state.co.us
website

Representative Jonathan Singer – House District 11
303-866-2780
jonathan.singer.house@state.co.us
website

Representative Sonya Jacquez Lewis – House District 12
303-866-2920
sonya.jaquez.lewis.house@state.co.us
website

Representative KC Becker – House District 13 (and Speaker of the House)
303-866-2578
kcbecker.house@state.co.us
website

Representative Matt Gray – House District 33
303-866-4667
matt.gray.house@state.co.us
website

Challenging Policy to Disrupt the School to Prison Pipeline

The YWCA and NAACP are partnering to ensure the Boulder Valley School Board of Education reforms their current policies and procedures around disciplinary actions and racism-related bullying. We will testify at the BVSD Board of Education in support of these reforms and the recommendations the local branch of the NAACP shared with the school board.

Please contact the BVSD school board members and tell them you are a volunteer with YWCA Boulder County and support the recommendations made by the NAACP in their 5/25/20 letter to the board of education on discipline, conduct, and bullying, with a focus on restorative justice.

You can email all seven board members (and also the superintendent and the board secretary) by emailing bvs.board@bvsd.org.

Or you can email them individually at:

Tina Marquis, Board of Education President, District B, Term Expires: 2021

tina.marquis@bvsd.org

Lisa Sweeney-Miran, Board of Education Member, District A, Term Expires: 2023
lisa.sweeney-miran@bvsd.org

Stacey Zis, Board of Education Member, District D, Term Expires: 2023
stacey.zis@bvsd.org

Donna Miers, Board of Education Member, District E, Term Expires: 2021
donna.miers@bvsd.org

Kitty Sargent, Board of Education Treasurer, District F, Term Expires: 2021
kitty.sargent@bvsd.org

Reading to End Racism: Adults and Children

Reading to End Racism (RER) uses literature to encourage an awareness of racism, create a most just, caring and equitable community, and make an impact in the lives of children and adults.

Sign up for the RER Literary Book Club

The group works with fiction and non-fiction books demonstrating structures or systems of racism and has a blended focus of education and discussion. We are currently reading the book, The Newcomers by Helen Thorpe and the next virtual meetings are:

Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. – Please read up to Summer, Heal Africa, page 326

Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. – Please read the remainder of the book

Please contact Shiquita Yarbrough at syarbrough@ywcaboulder.org to learn more and register. It’s not too late to join and all are welcome!

Read age appropriate books to your children that start conversations about race, equity and empathy.

Please contact Shiquita Yarbrough at syarbrough@ywcaboulder.org to inquire about our book lists by age level and topic.

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Feel free to use the links below to print your own yard or rally signs!

WOC Have Always Led Change Sign

Whats At Stake Sign

Silence Is Complicity Sign

America Do Better Sign

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Social action and advocacy are the cornerstones of YWCA. We conduct local advocacy efforts with the help of YWCA Board Members’ Advocacy Committee and other organizations to advance racial justice and women’s empowerment.

To learn more or become involved, please contact Debbie at dpope@ywcaboulder.org.

YWCA USA Public Policy Priorities

End Racial Profiling and Criminalization of People of Color

We must eliminate policies and practices, like racial profiling, that criminalize people of color and other marginalized communities.

Support Girls of Color Who Are Trauma Survivors

Girls of color who have experienced trauma must have improved access to community resources for trauma survivors, including in the education and juvenile justice systems.

Support the United Nation’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Goals

We will work together with our global sisterhood of YWCAs to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere, and ensure women and girls’ full and effective leadership participation at all levels of political, economic, and public life.

Improve Women’s Economic Security by Expanding Access to Sick, Safe, and Family Leave

Women should never have to choose between their job and their health or loved ones. Every worker deserves job-protected safe leave, and paid sick and family leave.

Remove Childcare and Housing Barriers to Women’s Workplace Participation

Improving access to quality affordable childcare and housing helps promote successful workplace participation for women, especially women of color.

Promote Federal Legislation to Support Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

We will strengthen federal legislation that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Improve Maternal Health Outcomes for Women of Color

We must address racial health disparities by reducing maternal mortality rates and improving maternal health outcomes for women of color.

Ensure Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care for Women and Girls

The healthcare infrastructure currently provided by the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, state health insurance programs, and reproductive health service providers must remain strong and viable in order to support women and families.