On Monday October 22, the YWCA Pasadena hosted their 16th Annual Women For Racial Justice Breakfast. Over 300 community leaders, elected officials, and community members were in attendance for the event celebrating the work of the 2018 Racial Justice Recipients, Jasmine Richards and Al Otro Lado.
Cher Calvin was mistress of ceremonies for the 6th year, something she commented “makes [her] feel like part of the YWCA family”. Executive Director Jessica Kubel and Board President Angeline Chen opened the event by leading the attendees in the racial justice pledge.
Jasmine Richards was then awarded the Racial Justice Award in the Individual category. Her speech was a call to action for those gathered to acknowledge the plight of black residents in Pasadena and beyond and to make sure to get out of their comfort zones and speak out and organize for black rights and black lives. “When I first heard I was getting this award I’m like “Why Me?” said Richards “Why are we awarding each other for things that we are supposed to be doing”. She went on to say that her work is a direct result of her own experiences losing friends and family to violence. “I am out here [doing this work] because my life depends on it”. Her final words were to encourage those to do what ever they can to support the black community. You can find Black Lives Matter Pasadena at their Facebook Group.
Al Otro Lado, represented by Founder and Legal Director Nora Phillips, was awarded the Racial Justice Award in the Organization category. Ms. Phillips gave a lively speech detailing how the organization was founded and what it does to assist immigrants on both sides of the border by representing them legally, filing suits against the organizations that run the detention centers and Border Patrol, running a shelter for asylum seekers in Tijuana, finding work for those who have been deported, and helping to reunite families. Nora also asked for all those that can help to go to the border and help them in any capacity that they can. You can find Al Otro Lado at their website.
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