Statement by Casey Harden, Interim CEO of YWCA USA

“Reported plans coming from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate college and university admissions policies should be cause for alarm to anyone who believes in justice. Affirmative action is still a necessary tool to help alleviate centuries of structural and systemic racism and sexism in higher education. This new DOJ initiative is part of a larger pattern by this administration of rolling back civil right protections across education, voting, criminal justice, immigration, employment, and military sectors. YWCA USA supports affirmative action and other efforts to dismantle institutionalized inequity and create pathways to success for women and people of color. Justice for communities of color is in no way tantamount to discrimination against White people.”

About YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.

YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 150 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. Learn more: www.ywca.org.

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