YWCA of Central Virginia will continue to join with Peace Over Violence for the Denim Day campaign.

Demin Day happens on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. In this rape prevention education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault.

YWCA of Central Virginia participates along with her sister YWCA Associations in the annual YWCA USA Stand Against Racism event. YWCA takes a Stand Against Racism every day by raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice.

The Stand Against Racism event provides the opportunity for communities across the United States to find an issue or cause that inspires them to take a #StandAgainstRacism and to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.

In 2021, YWCA USA’s 15th annual Stand Against Racism campaign will take place April 22 – 25, 2021.  The 2021 focus is on “From Declarations to Change: Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis”

Structural racism plays a large role in determining the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. These factors affect people’s access to quality housing, education, food, transportation, political power, and other social determinants of health. Understanding and addressing systemic racism from this public health perspective is crucial to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities, and to improving opportunity and well-being across communities.

Our collective efforts can root out injustice, transform institutions, and create a world that sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

Side By Side for Racial Justice and Harmony Walk

Traditionally, YWCA of Central Virginia has held our annual Side by Side for Racial Justice and Harmony Walk as part of our work during Stand Against Racism.  The Walk has been the cornerstone event of the YWCA’s Racial Justice program.  For 2020 and 2021, the Walk will not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join YWCA of Central Virginia for our annual Purse and Passion event! This year Purse and Passion will be a socially distant virtual auction!

Funds raised will support your YWCA of Central Virginia’s key programs including the Domestic Violence Prevention Program which houses our area’s only emergency shelters for victims.

If you would like to become a sponsor of the Purse and Passion Event, or donate new/gently loved purses for auction please reach out to our Communications and Development Manager at 434-847-7751 or via email (development@ywcacva.org).

Beginning in 1986, the YWCA of Central Virginia has recognized and celebrated the achievements of outstanding women in Central Virginia through our Academy of Women Gala. After a brief hiatus since 2012, YWCA is excited to induct its next class of honorees in 2022. 

All proceeds enable the YWCA to continue working towards eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all through her direct service programs, as well as education and outreach efforts.  YWCA of Central Virginia’s key programs includes the Domestic Violence Prevention Program (DVPP), our Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), and the Town Center Women’s Residential Housing Program.

For information on sponsorship opportunities please  contact our Communications and Development Manager at development@ywcacva.org

YWCA of Central Virginia will join with YWCA USA and all of our sister Associations to take a Stand Against Racism. Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This campaign is one part of our larger national strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism. The campaign was founded by YWCAs Trenton and Princeton in 2007 and adopted by YWCA USA in 2015.

As we come closer to the next Stand Against Racism your YWCA will announce any events or educational opportunities. #JoinUs

Join YWCA USA and all of our sister associations in celebrating a Week Without Violence every October.  YWCA of Central Virginia will host events in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month during this time that will be free to the public.  Check out our social media for more information.