THE YWCA TAKES A STAND AGAINST RACISM

0

Over 300,000 individuals expected to take a Stand Against Racism

Friday, April 26, 2013

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

University of Southern Indiana Amphitheatre

Free Admission. All are welcome.

Activities: Proclamation by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke; Remarks from Diane Clements (Human Relations Commission), Indiana State Representative Gail Riecken, USI Student Leaders, and YWCA officials; Vocal Performances; and community pledge against racism.

OPEN MIC Night DETAILS

Date: Friday, April 26, 2013

Times: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Arts Council of Southwest Indiana

Cost: Free Admission. All are welcome

Activities: The Open Mic Night theme is race, racism, social justice and cultural diversity. Performers are invited to call 422-1191 to register!

(Evansville, IN) Join the YWCA and the University of Southern Indiana and take a Stand Against Racism with a rally from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the University Center Amphitheatre, located outside the University Center on the USI campus.

The rally will include comments from a variety of local officials, including Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, who will read a special proclamation; Erika Taylor, CEO of the YWCA; Diane Clements of the Human Relations Commission; State Representative Gail Riecken; and Danyelle Granger, assistant vice president of Diversity and Foundation Program Officer at Old National Bank. Representatives of various USI student groups will speak and Designed by Grace, USI’s gospel choir, will perform.

Stand Against Racism is a nationwide movement that was initiated by the YWCA of Trenton, New Jersey in 2008 in order to raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that it can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

“Our objective is to bring together organizations who believe, like we do, that united we can eliminate racism,” Taylor said.

The USI Social Work Department’s Center for Social Justice Education and the USI Office of the Provost join the YWCA to sponsor this event as community partners.

In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Eagle’s Nest in University Center West.

That evening, the YWCA, USI Center for Social Justice Education, and Arts Council of Southwest Indiana will present an Open Mic Night from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Arts Council’s Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery. Artists will incorporate the topics of racism, race, social justice, diversity, or multiculturalism into their performances. Call the YWCA at 812/422-1191 if you are interested in performing.

Both events are free and open to the public.

The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The Evansville YWCA is a member of the YWCA of the U.S.A., the oldest and largest women’s membership movement in the country.

Over the years, YWCA programs have changed to meet the evolving needs of women and girls. In 1979, the YWCA opened the first domestic violence shelter in Evansville. Other current programs include a Transition Housing Program for women in recovery, Emergency Shelter for homeless women and children, an after-school and mentoring program, called Live Y’ers, for at-risk girls in grades 3 through 12, Summer Fun day camp for school-aged children, and a Food Pantry station. Special programs and events for the general public are also offered. Visit www.ywcaevansville.org for more information.

YWCA 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline • 866-367-9922