Our statement on the 2020 presidential election results

election results (1)

As of today, November 7, 2020, Joseph Biden has been declared the winner of the election for President of the United States. Kamala Harris has become the first woman, and woman of color, to be elected into executive office. As an organization committed to equity and inclusion, we understand the relief that many of our supporters are feeling today. Many of you worked tirelessly during this election season to ensure a victory that better aligned with a vision of a more compassionate and equitable country.  

 

This year has shined a light on the strength of our YW Boston community. We have witnessed your commitment to equity in the face of both new and pre-existing tragedies this year: COVID-19, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s murders and our nation’s systemic anti-Blackness, and a contentious election season. The United States voter turnout was the highest it has been in over a century. Now that we know the results of this election, we need to build on our momentum. The work does not end here. 

 

A lot was at stake during this presidential election and it’s important to remember that this is not the end of our fight for greater social justice and more equitable outcomes in the United States. We need to sustain this energy in order to address deeply entrenched inequities in our communities, systems, and institutions. In fact, the close results of this election demonstrate how many Americans remain committed to voting in support of White supremacy. The systemic inequities we currently face will still be present following this transition of power, and long after, unless we continue to work together. We cannot lighten up on our commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Now is the time to ensure our institutions center our values, no matter who is president. There is still work to do to continue to address persisting inequities in housing, education, healthcare, criminal justice, and many other spheres in our society, in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

YW Boston is committed to continuing this work. As with all YWCAs in the United States, YW Boston’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We seek to bring people together across differences to identify and address barriers to equity within institutions and communities. Through our DE&I services—InclusionBoston and LeadBoston—as well as our advocacy work and F.Y.R.E. Initiative, we help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with a goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed. 

 

We recently created a guide on how to foster a more inclusive workplace during the election season. As it suggests, following the election, employers and leaders should remember to: 

  • Reassure. This election season, alongside COVID-19, has brought deep disruption and uncertainty. 
  • Acknowledge that employees may be feeling uncertain or finding it difficult to focus. 
  • Recommit to core values of DEI, trust, respect, and shared focus of the work. 
  • Consider conversations that employees can opt-in to.

 

Following this election season, YW Boston will continue to serve as a resource to you as we pursue greater equity and inclusion together. 

 

In solidarity,

Beth Chandler

President & CEO

YW Boston

 

####

About YW Boston 

 

As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston has been at the forefront of advancing equity for over 150 years. Through our DE&I services—InclusionBoston and LeadBoston—as well as our advocacy work and F.Y.R.E. Initiative, we help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with a goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed. 

 

As part of that work, we are helping organizations prioritize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and become socially connected while staying physically distant. During this time, YW Boston is providing organizations with digital workshops and resources to help them better understand the challenges faced by their employees. For more information, please contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org.