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Welcome to the Greater Newburyport YWCA.

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racial justice

At the core of YWCA Greater Newburyport—and sister YWCAs across the U.S. and around the globe—are racial justice efforts that break down internal and external barriers to racial equality and challenge our communities to move toward equity in the workplace, housing, education and all aspects of life.  The Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, is one component of our racial justice program.  We invite volunteers to join us in that effort.  Volunteer opportunities include assisting with the breakfast and our Stand Against Racism.  For more information on how to volunteer for these events, please contact  Ellie Davis.

Bringing Together Teens in Our Community and Throughout Massachusetts

The most important thing that a community can do to reduce racism and hate-motivated behavior is to help young people understand the implications of racism, to engender respect for others and to celebrate diversity through education and open dialogue.  The YWCA Greater Newburyport teen racial justice initiatives include activities planned by and for teens in local high schools.  We have sponsored discussion groups, movie nights and study circles.  Our participation in the Annual YWCA Regional Teen Racial Justice Conference brought together teens from across the state and gave our teens an opportunity to hear about the lives of others.  Our current work includes bringing together leaders of high school diversity groups from the greater Newburyport area to share the strategies, strengths and challenges they face as they bring racial justice issues to their school.

YWCA Greater Newburyport’s 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, 2012

YWCA Greater Newburyport's 19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast will held on Monday January 16th at Newburyport City Hall. Registration and Continental Breakfast begin at 7:30am; program begins at 8am.

Attendees of our breakfasts form a diverse group of different ages, races, faiths, political parties, business communities, organizations and schools.  The interaction between area high school students and adults is a hallmark of our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast.  Because of the donations of our sponsors and community members, area high school students attend for free.

We are pleased to announce this year's speaker, Aimée Sands.  Aimée Sands is a poet and independent documentary filmmaker.  Her documentary short What Makes Me White? is currently in use as a tool for diversity and anti-racism work in over 200 colleges, churches, and nonprofit's in the US and Canada. The film has also been screened at a number of academic conferences.  We fortunate to be able to screen her film at our breakfast this year.  The screening will be followed by discussion and activities, developed by Aimée and high school members of our Racial Justice Committee.

In her 20 plus years as a radio and television producer, Aimée has received 18 awards for her work, including an Emmy, a Peabody Award, and a San Francisco Film Festival Golden Gate Award. Her television credits include Africans in America, the landmark PBS series on America’s journey through slavery; We Are Family, a WGBH and PBS documentary on life in lesbian and gay families; and Two Intimate Journeys, a WGBH documentary contrasting a feminist and a New Right woman. She has produced in-depth news and documentaries for both WGBH-TV and Radio, as well as for NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition.  Aimée is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Babson College.

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Nancy E. Peace Action Against Prejudice Award

The Nancy E. Peace Action Against Prejudice Award was established in 1998 by the YWCA of Greater Newburyport to recognize individuals who, through their professional or volunteer lives, have made valuable contributions towards eliminating racism, fighting prejudice, and celebrating diversity. 

In the fall each year, the public is invited to nominate any adult or youth who lives or works in one of the communities served by the YWCA of Greater Newburyport (Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Amesbury, Merrimac, Salisbury, Georgetown, Rowley and Ipswich, MA; and Seabrook, Hampton, Hampton Falls and Kensington, NH.) who meets the criteria for the award.  Click here to see a list of former recipients.

The 2012 Nancy E. Peace Action Against Prejudice Award, which recognizes an individual or individuals who have worked towards eliminating racism, fighting prejudice, and celebrating diversity in our community, will be presented at the Martin Luther King Breakfast on January 16, 2012.

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Stand Against Racism

In 2010, the YWCA Greater Newburyport, joined the national ywca stand against racism for the first time.  Led by high school students, this event encouraged schools, businesses, religious organizations, non-profit agencies and individuals to take time out of the day on April 30, 2010 to pledge to end racism.  Over 20 companies and hundreds of people participated.  Next year, the stand will be held on Friday, April 29th 2011.  To become involved, please contact Ellie Davis.

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Nancy DiGrezio Memorial Scholarship

The Nancy DiGrezio Scholarship was endowed in 2007 in honor of Nancy DiGrezio, a board member of the YWCA who was committed to fostering a tolerant and inclusive community.  The Nancy DiGrezio Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a high school senior attending school within the YWCA Greater Newburyport's service area who is a leader and peacemaker among his or her peers; whose actions exemplify tolerance and understanding of differences; and who, by his or her example, empowers other students to respond to acts of intolerance and discrimination. Click here for more information. 

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The 2010 Nancy E. Peace Action Against Prejudice Award, which recognizes an individual or individuals who have worked towards eliminating racism, fighting prejudice, and celebrating diversity in our community, was presented at the Breakfast.  Marilyn Diehl, received the award this year as a result of a lifetime committed to confronting racism.  For more information about her life and why the YWCA Greater Newburyport gave her this award, please see the attached article written by Katie Curley Katzman for the Daily News Copyright © 1999-2010 cnhi, inc.

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Recipients of Nancy E. Peace Action Against Prejudice Award

2011

2011 Reverend Bertrand Steeves, Pastor Emeritus First Religious Society

2010
Marilyn Diehl, Community Health Nurse
2009
Nora Duggan, Officer, Newburyport Police Department
2008
Kara Herbert, Co-President Diversity Group, Pentucket High School
Michael A. Costello, State Representative, First Essex District
2007
Donna Childs, Newburyport Public Library
Nancy DiGrezio (awarded posthumously)
2006
Frank Cousins, Essex County Sheriff
2005
Lila Teeters, peace activist
Merle Forney, Dove Campaign Chair
2004
Michael Jacobson, Principal, Brown School, Newburyport
2003
Barbara Hildt, peace educator and activist
2002
Beth Horne, No Place for Hate Committee
Lisa L. Mead, former Newburyport Mayor, No Place for Hate Committee
Marc Tucker, No Place for Hate Committee
2001
H. Douglas Lay, Principal, Rupert A. Nock Middle School
Kevin M. Burke, District Attorney, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
2000
Susan Fallon, Health Coordinator, Triton Regional High School
Michael Ward, former Principal, Triton Regional High School
1999
Nancy E. Peace
Raymond Tiezzi & Donna Georges, Amesbury Middle School
North Essex Prevention Coalition & Community Action of Haverhill

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19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
Monday January 16th
Newburyport City Hall
Registration and Continental Breakfast begin at 7:30 am; program begins at 8 am
Ticket Information


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