Racial Equity and Belonging
As part of the Racial Equity program, YWCA Rock County is a part of the national movement of more than 200 YWCA’s working to eliminate racism. Our commitment, like our national organization, runs deep. While the YWCA has been working in Rock County since 1922, addressing issues facing women, our mission has been refined to focus on the challenges of racism and civil rights.
Support Racial Justice in Rock County
YWCA Rock County’s Racial Justice Program leads conversations surrounding issues of race. YWCA Rock County creates awareness and education programs throughout the year. This aligns with our mission, to empower women and eliminate racism.
YWCA Rock County hosts an annual Racial Justice Conference, a monthly discussion called Courageous Conversations, and we host annual Stand Against Racism events simultaneously in Beloit and Janesville. YWCA Rock County also runs an educational program for school-aged children called, ‘You, Me and Our Colorful Community.’
You can ensure these events and education programs remain strong by making a donation today.
Racial Justice Events
MLK Commemoration
Please join us on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 at 2pm for an event commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Until Justice Just Is
YWCA Rock County is on a mission to eliminate racism and create a more just, equitable community. We are proud to announce the upcoming series of Until Justice Just Is events (formerly Stand Against Racism), aimed at raising awareness about the negative impacts of racism and fostering unity among those who are working to advance racial justice. This year’s theme, Equity in Action: Exposing Myths and Redefining Justice, encourages the community to come together, educate, advocate, and promote change.
Juneteenth Celebration
Join YWCA Rock County and the Elite Ladies of Beloit for a Juneteenth Celebration on June 21st, 2025 at Telfer Park in Beloit.
Racial Justice Conference
Save the date for a virtual Racial Justice Conference in November 2025 hosted by YWCA Rock County. Join us online from your home, school or office, as presenters offer insight into supporting diverse populations here in our community and beyond.
Courageous Conversations
Courageous Conversations are monthly discussions on race and current events coordinated by Community Action Inc., Diversity Action Team of Rock County and YWCA Rock County.
Join us the 4th Monday of month for a conversation. Courageous Conversations explores issues of race in Rock County. Topics are selected each month based on current events and the issues people of color are currently facing both locally and nationwide.
The conversations are moderated by members of YWCA Rock County’s racial justice team and the Diversity Action Team of Rock County.
Courageous Conversations are currently being held virtually via Zoom. Courageous Conversations is held the fourth Monday of each month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Click here to REGISTER for the Event.
(Please note, Courageous Conversations will be recorded and placed online. Members of the media are also invited to attend. If members of the media are present, an announcement will be made at the beginning of the meeting.)
Lunch and Learns
YWCA Rock County’s Lunch and Learns are an exciting opportunity to provide a deeper dive into community-identified issues centered on social and racial justice. Lunch and Learn presenters frame topics with historical context in order to give participants a deeper understanding.
YWCA Rock County Racial Justice Program “Bookshelf”
Books
Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris
The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist
The 1619 Project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Movies
13th: From Slave to Criminal with One Amendment
American Son
Rustin
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America by Mamie Till-Mobley and Christopher Benson
Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm by Robin Diangelo
Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
Podcasts
All My Relations
Code Switch
Intersectionality Matters!
Into America
Latino USA
Annual Racial Justice Awards
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Racial Justice Award
The Racial Justice Award recognizes an individual who actively strives to eliminate racism and promote racial equality. Recipients have a strong commitment to peace and race relations, participate in specific peacemaking or anti-racism activism and demonstrate leadership and service to others.
YWCA Rock County presents the award annually at the MLK Commemoration event in January.
Previous Racial Justice Award Recipients:2013: Sonja Robinson
2014: Jane McCauley
2015: Jeanne Carfora & Albert “Fritz” Elsen
2016: Ruth Kolpack
2017: Billy Bob Grahn & Dr. Karen Schulte
2018: Dorothy Harrell
2019: Police Chief David Moore
2020: George Williams
2021: Michelle Hendrix-Nora
2022: Rene Bue
2023: Krystal Deleon Judah
2024: Silvia Donday-Selenske -
Dorothy Height Diversity in the Workplace Award
Award Purpose
The purpose of this award is to honor a business or organization for its support of diversity and inclusion in its workplace. Leading by example, nominees are transforming our diverse community into a truly inclusive environment where employees are valued for their talent and are able to reach their full potential.
CriteriaDorothy Height Diversity in the Workplace Award Recipients:
2015: Community Action Inc.
2016: School District of Beloit
2017:Blackhawk Bank
2018: Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care
2019: Beloit Health Systems
2020: SHINE Technologies
2021: No Awardee
2022: HealthNet of Rock County, Inc.
2023: No Awardee