A Whole Month for Women?: A Note from Kathleen’s Desk

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A Whole Month for Women?: A Note from Kathleen’s Desk

Categories: Advocacy, Center for Safety and Empowerment, News

Dear Friends,

We really need to talk about intersectional feminism. This idea recognizes that certain groups of people have multi-layered facets in life that they have to deal with, such as racism, ableism, classism, and bias against gender expression and sexual orientation, just to name a few. I am reminded of Sojourner Truth’s famous “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech from a 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in which she pointed out that the rights and dignities afforded to some women were not available to all women because of the color of her skin.

Sojourner Truth wasn’t “just” a woman, she was a black woman; she was an enslaved black woman; a poor enslaved black woman; a poor enslaved black woman who used a cane for mobility. Feminism isn’t just about advancing women as a monolithic group, it’s about recognizing that for many individuals, “being a woman” is just the tip of the iceberg.

Today, we sit at another intersection: between Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March). You may have heard this before, but it bears repeating: here at YWCA Northeast Kansas, we work to eliminate racism and empower women every day. And when we say “justice for all,” we mean it, every day of the year.

We recognize that not all inequality is created equal. We are committed to creating a world of justice, working to dismantle barriers and transform institutions until the world sees women, people of color, LGBTQ folx, disabled individuals, and all other intersections in our community the way we do: Equal. Powerful. UNSTOPPABLE.

Join us for these programs:

Thank you for standing in solidarity for a strengthened community,

Kathleen Marker

CEO, YWCA Northeast Kansas

 

 

Announcements:

 

Keep these on your calendar:

MARCH
Women’s History Month

MONDAY, MARCH 2 – APRIL 2

Nominations open for the 32nd Annual YWCA Leadership Luncheon Women of Excellence Honors. Nominate a co-worker, employee, supervisor, or community member of excellence!

TUESDAYS, MARCH 10 & 24
Racial Justice Book Club: Chokehold by Paul Butler
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
7:00 – 8:30 PM

Our Advocacy Cafecito hosted Kansas Secretary of Labor Delia Garcia in February.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
Building Blocks: Understanding LGBTQIA Folx and Relationship Violence
YWCA Dining Room
12:00 – 1:00 PM

FREE, Registration Requested

SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Concealed Revealed Art Auction
Jayhawk Theatre, Topeka
7:00 PM
Tickets on sale now!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Spring Network Lunch: Mayor Michelle De La Isla
YWCA Dining Room
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Tickets forthcoming

APRIL 23-26
Stand Against Racism Campaign

 

 

Check out our latest moments in the news:

YWCA Testimony: Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights

YWCA Testimony: SB 250 CROWN Act in Kansas State Senate

Kansas looks to end spousal exemption in sexual battery law

Sexual battery of a spouse is legal in Kansas. Lawmakers are trying again to change law

House panel advances bill ending spousal exemption to sexual battery

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