Message from the CEO and President of YWCA ENS: SCOTUS Recent Rulings
July 3rd, 2023Message from the CEO and President of YWCA ENS: SCOTUS Recent Rulings-As I reflect on several of last week’s Supreme Court decisions, I’m reminded how important educational opportunity and socioeconomic mobility are to the workings of an equitable and inclusive society.All of us at YWCA Evanston/North Shore believe the gap in the social, structural, and economic systems that exist today will only widen when affirmative action programs like these -- and others created to level the playing field -- are removed. The impact of the Supreme Court’s decisions and the associated chain of events that will follow is a setback for our country.While YWCA Evanston/North Shore is not an institution of higher learning, we are steadfastly committed to our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We believe all people have the right to be heard and we believe in the value of listening. Education exposes the truth and leads to greater understanding and, ultimately, to action.The sad truth is we live in a society divided by race and class. Some of us benefit while others are traumatized by our past and the continuing barriers we experience. It takes courage and willingness to engage in discussions about race and class which is exactly what YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Equity Institute is designed to inspire. We promote equity at all levels through education and by engaging with individuals, community groups, and institutions. We understand the critical role institutions of higher learning play in accessing equitable opportunities and economic mobility.As we face the deep uncertainty of what the future holds, I invite you to join YWCA Evanston/North Shore by lending your voice, leadership, and community presence to our collective efforts to achieve true freedom, equality, and justice for all.I also invite you to learn more about our Equity Institute. Our full range of consulting, training and education, community engagement programs, racial equity resources, and annual events offers opportunities for all to develop the knowledge and resources we need to move towards a truly equitable society. The more we understand our past, the better prepared we are to change our future.In solidarity,Cherese R. Ledet