Advancing Racial Justice

The Mission: YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

YWCA is one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation and has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for nearly 160 years. Today, we continue that priority. YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley believes that we cannot empower all women unless we also work unequivocally to eliminate racism.

Through education, advocacy, and community collaboration we can work toward advancing social justice and our mission of eliminating racism. YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is committed to working on issues of gender equality, economic inequity, and racial justice. We will continue this work until inequity is eliminated, institutions are challenged and transformed, and the world uplifts women of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, and disabilities. Will You Join Us?

YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is committed to the work of racial and social justice.

YWCA recognizes and acknowledges the conscious effort and work that needs to be done to dismantle structural racism and xenophobic ideologies. Through cross-agency collaboration and community engagement, we pledge to take the steps to being an anti-racist agency by listening, recognizing our bias, and implementing equitable policies.

We are dedicated to creating space for empathy, grief, healing, and advocacy, while providing opportunities for training, growth, and purposeful action.