“Ally” in recent years refers specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group. For this blog series, we capitalize the “Y” in “AllY” to emphasize the connection between YWCA Northeast Indiana’s dedication to eliminating racism and the allyship focus of the blog.
“If we, as a collection of individuals, are able to self-reflect, adjust, and model inclusivity and engaged citizenship, what a great cultural legacy we can provide for future generations of Hoosiers. Each month we will be given the opportunity to ask ourselves “Am I being an AllY?” My hope is to hear increasingly more in our community “Yes! I AM an AllY!“
-Heather Guy (Racial Justice Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
YWCA Northeast Indiana is on a mission to be an AllY. We hope that you will join us!
When we step back to look at the big picture, and also in the daily steps we take at YWCA, we do see progress towards our mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” That progress still doesn’t seem to have put us very close to achieving those … Read More
Dear AllY, With all the labels regarding generational designations, I have chosen my preferred phrase, “80’s baby, 90’s raised me.” My grandparents were of “the greatest generation,” marked not only by their blue collar stick-to-it-ness, but my Black grandparents also developed their ability to endure due to the repressive racial conditions of their times. Thus, … Read More
During her lifetime, Abby Kelley Foster followed the motto, “Go where you are least wanted, for there you are most needed.” Photo from the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Dear AllY, As humans, what is more of our natural impulse? To protect ourselves and our comfort or to embrace change? Reflecting on times that I … Read More
Harriet Tubman From William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom Series Dear AllY, As February and Black History month comes to a close, and with Women’s History month quickly approaching, I want to acknowledge Harriet Tubman, a great model of allyship to the marginalized communities of her day. Harriet Tubman freed herself and chose to carry … Read More
Dear AllY, Please reference this article by Jack Doyle: “Rockwell & Race, 1963-1968” The Problem We All Live With – 1963 By the time the turbulent sixties were to begin, painter Norman Rockwell had already established his place in the collective hearts of Americans. For five decades, Rockwell painted covers for the Saturday Evening Post. … Read More