Statement from the Steering Committee June 11, 2020

Dear PWA Community,

Alongside our peers and colleagues across the nation and around the world, we mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others who have been murdered as a result of inhumane police brutality that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy. Black Lives Matter. 

As a Professional Women’s Association committed to equity and justice, we must work to dismantle white supremacy in all its forms--which includes toxic white feminism. Now is a time for reflection and humility as we learn how to become informed anti-racist allies and accomplices. We share the sentiments of our colleagues at Oregon Women in Higher Education when they write, “White supremacy’s focus on perfection can make this work challenging but don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

Although we were not able to hold our annual conference this spring, we stand by our centering theme: Speak Up. We ask that you will join us in using our voices to demand justice. Moving forward, we will be using this platform to organize for action; facilitate dialogue; elevate voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); and create spaces for our community to unlearn and learn together. 

In solidarity,

The PWA Steering Committee

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resources & calls to action

  • Donate to the organization of your choice that supports Black Lives Matter or any BIPOC organization, or a bail out fund through the National Bail Fund Network.

  • Start the work with this Anti-Racism Resources guide forwarded to us by UCSB’s Office of Black Development Staff that was compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020.

  • Contact your local government officials or members of your City Council demanding that they adopt a city budget that prioritizes community wellbeing from the ground up, divests from the militarization of the police, and invests in social and holistic services. Use the text and contact information provided by Defund12.org.

These are just a few of many ways to be involved in this vital movement for change. We will be continuing to provide resources for the PWA community through our social media channels. More to come.