final project YWCA

Phase II: Research History of Activism in NYC, YW Role and Integration

The New York City history of YWCA was spear headed towards empowering women at all ages. Through the YWCA, its activism played a greater role in propelling organization to achieve their goals and spreading their influence across the world (Pruden III, 2019). History has enabled members to champion more on the rights of women in the society through education, access to better healthcare and employment (Cross, 2015). Activism has enabled women to understand the challenges faced by women and it has enabled the current organization to formulate new policies to be implemented by member states in the fight against women discrimination and racism.

Cooperate activism has emerged in the recent years when women rights became more vibrant than before. This was due to emancipation of women across the globe concerning their rights (Yocum, 2019). The rise of “me too” campaign by Tirana Burke agitated for the need to address sexual harassment against women in workplaces and the communities. The rise of the “me too” campaign has placed various companies on highlight with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein being accused of sexual harassment and assault against actresses among other to personnel (Agathis, 2018). The rise has gotten so many companies bidding to trademark hash tag in their organization in a bid to enhance the campaign that has seen various females volunteering to express their experience and seek justice against their persecutors.

Activism in the 20th century led to rise of unions to address different issues affecting women in the society. Most of the unions led to the rise of movements that championed for the rights of women in the 21st century that are very active and more vibrant that before (Yocum, 2019). Such movements include the “me too” that has seen several victims file complaints against their oppressors.

Entertainment industries are more enlightened in on issues about activism since they have played a greater role in passing vital information to the masses across the globe. Entertainment industries have since been used to pass message to the masses through film, comedy, and songs and this has led to increased awareness on the rights of women in the society. Entertainment industries not only entertain people but also educate masses through experiences that actors and actress went through their storyline and the message intended to be passed.

Nellie Bly was a journalist who uncovered abuses that women faced in the island of untouchables. She played a greater role as an investigative journalist in addressing challenges faced by those isolated and marginalized in the society. Shirley Chisholm was a politician who became the first black women to represent Brooklyn in the congress amidst the racism that she faced. She was determined to show that black women can also be good leaders and should be given equal positions as the whites. Emma Roberts was an activist who funded the group called Prayer union that later joined forces with Mary J. Kinnaird which gave rise to the young women Christian association. (YWCA). Deng Yuzhi was a Chinese socialist and a Christian who played a greater role in promoting education for women (Zhang, 2018). Dorothy Height was a civil right activist who championed for the rights of African American women. During her leadership at the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), she won grants which aided women to attend vocational training which was aimed at assisting them to open businesses.

References

Agathis, N. T., Payne, C., & Raphael, J. L. (2018). A “# MeToo Movement” for Children: Increasing Awareness of Sexual Violence Against Children. Pediatrics, 142(2), e20180634.

Cross, W. R. (2015). The burned-over district: The social and intellectual history of enthusiastic religion in western New York, 1800–1850. Cornell University Press.

Pruden III, W. H. (2019). YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YWCA). The World of Jim Crow America: A Daily Life Encyclopedia, 406.

Yocum, S. (2019). Liberal Christianity and Women's Global Activism: The ywca of the usa and the Maryknoll Sisters.

Zhang, A. (2018). Chinese Christian New Women’s Practicality, Social Service, and Broad Cooperation: a Case Study of YWCA Women in the 1920s and 1930s. In Christianity and the Modern Woman in East Asia (pp. 38-61). Brill.