YWCA USA extends our deepest sympathy to those impacted by the tragic shooting at Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston, SC Wednesday night.

We especially want to uplift the friends and families of the victims: Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Clementa C. Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Myra Thompson.

In a statement from YWCA Greater Charleston, we are reminded that the church’s Pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was a good friend of the YWCA. In fact, on April 26th, in the wake of the shooting of Walter Scott, “Mother Emanuel” AME Church hosted the local YWCA Stand Against Racism: Requiem on Racism: A People’s Mass. As a tribute to and in solidarity with the people of Charleston, we encourage you to view this powerful anti-racist event. We are particularly moved by Rev. Pinckney’s opening prayer where he exclaims: “only love can conquer hate!”