Celebrate Black History Month

From pioneering sheroes such as Dr. Dorothy Height, Helen Claytor, and countless others to our programming and advocacy efforts, YWCA has a long history of advancing racial justice that began decades ago with our own reckoning of racial inequities within the YWCA movement. During Black History Month, we are sharing our story and raising awareness of YWCA’s history of advancing racial justice from the inside out. The work that began in the early 20th century reverberates to this day through the work we proudly continue toward our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height

Dr. Dorothy Height, YWCA’s first Director of Racial Justice, was the only woman present on the speaker’s stage when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech at the 1963 March on Washington. She was a civil rights and women's rights activist. During the civil rights movement, she was one of the first leaders to recognize inequality experienced by women and African Americans as problems that should be considered as a whole. In her memoir “Open Wide the Freedom Gates,” published in 2003, Dr. Dorothy Height documented her life and role in YWCA’s history from YWCA Harlem to YWCA USA. Learn more about Dr. Height and about how she helped shape Dr. King's vision for racial justice here.

Helen Claytor

Helen Claytor’s experience with YWCA from local to national to international level is a story about American social change just as much as it is a story about institutional change within the YWCA movement. Growing up during segregation, Claytor was a catalyst for progress in the YWCA movement, first at YWCA West Central Michigan’s (then the Grand Rapids YWCA) as their first African American board president, then at YWCA USA as the 1st Black president of our National Board. Upon Helen Claytor’s 1949 election as YWCA West Central Michigan's 1st Black board president, 3 board members resigned in protest — but her unwavering leadership was paramount to the YWCA movement.  Learn more about Helen Claytor and her journey here.

Louisa Flowers

Local leader Louisa Flowers was a pioneer in the Portland community. In the 1920's, all club membership reflected segregated housing in the city, with separate clubs for African-American, Japanese, Chinese, and native/foreign-born white girls. During that time, Louisa Flowers founded the Williams YWCA in Northeast where Portland’s African American women organized to meet the needs of women and girls through the YWCA. Louisa Flowers was also a member of the Old Rose Club, which raised college scholarship money for young women. Her and her husband also bought land and built several houses in the old Lower Albina Neighborhood, a few blocks from the now Lloyd District neighborhood.In 2019 Home Forward built The Louisa Flowers apartment complex to honor her on the land purchased by Louisa Flowers and her family which provides 240 affordable apartment units.

Racism 101 (Oregon Focused)

February 24th, 2023 from 10am-12pm

Online via ZoomCourse Description: Often when we struggle to communicate with someone on issues of race and racism, it’s because we are using different meanings for the words that make up our conversation. This workshop will include an investigation into the terms we use to discuss racial justice. We will navigate a brief history of race in Oregon and explore events that shape the region we live in today. Workshop members will analyze the differences between interpersonal, cultural, and institutional racism and the harms and benefits they create. There will also be a discussion on the impacts of racism on advocates and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and how to integrate anti-racism work into our organizations.

Register at the link below!

Don't Shoot PDX': ARCHIVES FOR BLACK LIVES: LIBERATED ARCHIVES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Knight Library on University of Oregon White Stag campus Monday through Friday from 9am-6pm Learn more here.

Mimi's Fresh Tees': LOVE YOUR SELFIE EVENT

Mimi’s Fresh Tees x HHF Strategy team up for the ultimate Love Your Selfie, Galentine’s Day Event.

In honor of Black History Month, they are centering Black and Brown Women Creators and Healers in a diverse environment built for inclusion and self care. Come enjoy appetizers, wine, tea, chocolate, and a sound bowl bath by certified healer Alberta Qamar Body, Sound, and Soul.

They also have the best swag bag courtesy of Mimi’s Fresh Tees.

Sunday, February 12th from 1pm-3pmMimi's Fresh Tees: 950 Southwest Morrison Street Portland, OR, 97205 Purchase tickets here!

Word Is Bond's: IN MY SHOES WALKING TOUR

In My Shoes is a walking tour project by Word is Bond that highlights the stories and experiences of young Black men across Portland. Each tour is designed and led by a community ambassador (youth leaders) from Word is Bond and uniquely curated walking tours of eight Portland neighborhoods where our ambassadors live. Each tour is unique, reflecting the rich diversity of Black stories and experiences in our community. In My Shoes presents an opportunity to listen, learn, and take action.Every Saturday in February. Click here for a full list of times and locations.If you are interested in volunteering at the event, sign-up here.

33rd Annual Cascade Festival of African Films 

The Cascade Festival of African Films is the longest-running annual, non-profit, non-commercial, largely volunteer-run African Film Festival in the United States. All films are always FREE!Films are shown at the Hollywood Theater, PCC Cascade campus, and online.February 3rd-March 4th, 2023Check showtimes and learn more here.

Ujima's: THE COOKOUT-LOVING BLACK ADVOCATES

The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, also known as Ujima, will discuss what love looks like in practice, as well as how we can amplify the ways in which we love within our community. This will be a casual but interactive space with several opportunities to win prizes throughout the night. This will be a casual, but interactive space with several opportunities to win prizes throughout the night.Thursday, February 16th, 2023 7:00pm-8:00pm EST Register here!