Advocacy

Brittany’s journey at YWCA Utah is a story of transformation and empowerment. What started as a job quickly became a mission—advocating for women, creating safe spaces, and uplifting communities. Through her work, she found her voice and helped others find theirs. Watch as Britney shares how YWCA Utah became more than just a workplace—it became a place of purpose, strength, and change.

YWCA Utah is a leading voice for advocacy and empowerment. Our public policy work recognizes the need to make systemic changes to improve the lives of all marginalized people. Our public policy agenda centers racial and gender equity in affordable housing, childcare, domestic and sexual violence, mental health, and reproductive justice.

Our Race & Gender Equity Work

Racial Justice Challenge

YWCA Utah’s Racial Justice Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The Challenge invites community members to foster personal reflection and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

Resources

COLOR COLLECTIVE

The Color Collective is a designated community space and multi-genre program for Queer, Womxn, Femmes & Non-Binary Persons of Color (Black, Indigenous, POC) who are living in Utah. This program is designed for participants to come together for healing, empowerment, and reconciliation in their experiences of racism, sexism, and other intersectional oppressions.

Thank you to Meeyong Schwartz, Sarah May, Viviana Felix, the co-founders of Color Collective, for creating a program that is BIPOC driven, and centered in our local community

RACE EQUITY COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

YWCA Utah is conducting a multi-year Race Equity Community Assessment aimed at gaining deeper insights into racial and gender inequities within Salt Lake County. The objective is to identify key areas of disparity and provide actionable recommendations for sustainable change. This research is led by BIPOC and QTBIPOC individuals, including community co-researchers.

YWCA UTAH'S STAFF AFFINITY GROUPS

YWCA Utah's Staff Affinity Groups provide dedicated spaces for connection and growth. We offer two groups: the Staff of Color Affinity Group, fostering support and solidarity, and the Aspiring White Allies Affinity Group, focused on learning and advocacy. These groups create opportunities for staff to come together, share experiences, and build a more inclusive workplace.

RACE AND GENDER EQUITY RESOURCE LIST

Embark on an educational journey about racial justice by learning through our carefully curated resources. We believe that this journey is not just about acquiring knowledge but about cultivating empathy, understanding, and meaningful action. It's a lifelong commitment to challenging biases, dismantling systemic inequalities, and fostering a more just and inclusive society.

We recognize that each person's learning style is unique, and that's why our resources come in various forms - from articles and books to podcasts, documentaries, and educational workshops. Whether you prefer immersive storytelling, analytical discussions, or hands-on experiences, there's something here to resonate with your approach to learning. We encourage you to explore these resources with an open heart and mind, engaging with diverse perspectives and voices to deepen your understanding and contribute positively to the ongoing dialogue on racial justice. Together, let's take meaningful steps towards a more equitable and just world.

TRACK BILLS RELEVANT TO OUR WORK

Click below to track bills relevant to YWCA Utah’s work of eliminating racism and empowering women introduced during the legislative session

Click Below to learn more about bills impacting Affordable Housing in Utah
Click Here
Click below to learn more about the bills impacting Child Care & Early Education in Utah
Click Here
Click below to learn more about the bills impacting domestic violence & sexual violence in Utah
Click Here
Click below to learn more about the bills impacting Race & Gender Equity in Utah
Click Here
Click below to learn more about the Appropriations Bills impacting work relevant to YWCA Utah’s mission
Click Here