The YWCA believes racism is a woman’s issue. We can’t empower all women until we eliminate racism and discrimination. Because of prejudice, the women of color we serve in our other programs face additional challenges when it comes to finding permanent housing and employment, getting an education, leaving a violent partner, encountering law enforcement, and accessing health care. YWCA Missoula’s Racial Justice Initiative is committed to being an educational community resource for people of color and white allies who are dedicated to addressing racism in our community.
The True Colors Training is a series of workshops created by YWCA Missoula and Empower Montana in an effort to address the unique challenges faced by people of color, as well as white allies taking action against racism. Both training invite community members to rethink race, history, and community. The training helps participants develop skills to identify structures and systems, understand the role of racism within historical trauma, increase proficiency in implicit and linguistic racism, and create inclusive spaces.
The training creates a safe and comfortable space for participants to discuss difficult themes. YWCA Missoula and Empower Montana seek allies and people of color who have witnessed and experienced racism and seek to both better understand and work toward racial justice.