We are excited to announce that the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge will return for its 3rd year on April 17th – May 15th, 2023. The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is a virtual learning tool 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. New content is released on weekdays. Participants log on to the challenge app on their phones or visit the website. They are presented with 21 days of activities, such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience.

2023 Topics

New content is published daily (except for weekends) for the duration of the challenge. Each week we cover a different topic relating to equity and social justice. Below is an overview of what we will cover in 2023.

Week 1 – Disability

During disability week, we will cover the history of Eugenics, the Disability Rights Movement, the intersection of race, gender, and disability, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Week 2 – Housing

Learn how redlining continues to impact communities, who can access housing, and how racism, homophobia, and transphobia have become a driver of homelessness and its criminalization.

Week 3 – Music

In partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we will talk about the legacy of musician activists, racism in the music industry, cultural appropriation, how music pushes against gender stereotypes, and access to music education.

Week 4 – Mental Health

Dive into how psychology has been used as a tool of marginalization, access to mental healthcare, and discrimination’s impact on mental health outcomes.