YWCA Greenwich’s annual Stand Against Racism event took place on Friday, April 25, at 12:00pm at Greenwich Town Hall. This annual event is in partnership with the Town of Greenwich and over 100 community partners, who all pledged to take a stand against all forms of racism. “We welcome the entire community to this annual gathering when we award Gender & Racial Justice Scholarships and reflect on our shared goal of addressing all forms of racism,” said Mary Lee Kiernan, President & CEO of YWCA Greenwich.

This year’s program is entitled, “Food Pathways to Freedom,” and featured keynote speaker Ramin Ganeshram, Executive Director of the Westport Museum. Ganeshram is a chef, New York Times contributor and culinary historian who in 2018, published The General’s Cook: A Novel, about Hercules Posey, the African American chef enslaved by George & Martha Washington who self-emancipated in 1797. First Selectman, Fred Camillo and the Board of Selectman read the Stand Against Racism proclamation. The YWCA Greenwich Gender and Racial Justice Scholarship Awards were presented by State Delegation to the Connecticut General Assembly to deserving students who demonstrate a commitment to making their school or community more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and/or antiracist. “We encourage our community partners to take a proactive stand for what is right. Given the times we’re in, it is important that we are being unequivocal of our denouncement of hate and bigotry,” explained Director of the Center for Equity and Justice at YWCA Greenwich, Simone Quartey.

Participants were asked to join in a group picture demonstrating their pledge to stand up against all forms of racism. Refreshments were served to allow residents to stop and mingle with colleagues, friends, and neighbors. Stand Against Racism is a signature event of YWCA Greenwich to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This event is one part of our larger national YWCA strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.