Since 2014 the YWCA of Greater Atlanta has hosted an annual event called Conversations that speaks to race and gender. This week I speak with CEO, Sharmen Gowens about this year's event taking place on September 20.
Ms. Gowens explains the mission of the YWCA is to "Eliminate racism, Empower Women, Stand Up for Social Justice, Help Families and Strengthen Communities." She speaks about the importance of working with young women and girls to support their dreams. The YWCA does this with programming around STEAM careers along with exposure to successful women who are in those fields.
I ask Ms. Gowens about this year's theme "Building Allies" and she explains that for women to truly achieve parity across race and ethnicity it will be with allies. She mentions that people who support parity will not all look the same.
We discuss "Women's Equality Day" when working women reach parity with working men. White women reach their "Equality" day in April, while African-American women reach their "Equality" day at the end of July and Latina Americans don't reach their "Equality" day until November.
Join the YWCA for Conversation 2017on Wednesday, September 20th at the Marquis Marriott in downtown Atlanta.
For more information visit YWCA or call them at 404-835-2620 - For tickets to Conversations 2017