Friday, June 19, marks a significant day in history: Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is used as the marker because slaves, depending on where you lived and how you were treated, were informed throughout many days thereafter; so, for some the day of freedom… Continue Reading Juneteenth becomes formal YW holiday
Shannon Isom is president and CEO of YWCA Dayton, the oldest social service organization for women in Montgomery and Preble counties. Since 1870 it has been on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The spray paint came off easily. During weekend protests across downtown Dayton,… Continue Reading The pain is harder to clean
This essay is part of our 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge during Week 4: Community Impact – Hate, Discrimination, and Healing. It is written by YWCA Dayton’s President and CEO, Shannon Isom, and is part of the Dayton United Against Hate response to a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated rally scheduled for May 25 in… Continue Reading The wholeness of us
This poem is part of our 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge during Week 4: Community Impact – Hate, Discrimination, and Healing. It is written by Breanna McGowan, who performs under the name Quiet Storm. She is the local Dayton “poetry mom,” co-organizer of Dayton Poetry Slam, and author of the book, Tornado Warnings… Continue Reading Black Woman: A Poem
This essay is part of our 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge during Week 4: Community Impact – Hate, Discrimination, and Healing. It is written by Michelle Novak, a self-employed organizational consultant for non-profit organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and a master’s degree in public administration, having also studied in… Continue Reading Before and after