YWCA Darien/Norwalk Announces 2014 Stand Against Racism Programming

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk today announced a series of free events as part of its annual Stand Against Racism (SAR). In addition to hosting its annual Pledge Against Racism, the YWCA announced it would host its first annual film festival. The weeklong series will begin on Monday, April 21st and run through Saturday, April 26th. The events are open to the public and are designed to raise cultural awareness within communities.

Interim Executive Director Julie Forsyth said: “The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is thrilled to be expanding this year’s Stand Against Racism events with its first annual film festival. The selected films include classics and newer documentaries that are designed to start meaningful discussion. The SAR Film Festival will play a small role in a nationwide effort to celebrate different cultures and honor those who inspire us”.

The first annual SAR Film Festival will kick-off on Monday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. and run through the week with all showings held at the Darien Library. Some of the films being presented include The Blind Side; Deep South; The Diary of Anne Frank; Freeheld; Rafea: Solar Mama; A Raisin in the Sun; Schindler’s List; Stand and Deliver; Tall as the Boabab Tree; Undefeated; West Side Story; and The Breakfast Club. The film festival is recommended for teenagers through adults.  

The YWCA’s annual Pledge Against Racism will be held on Friday, April 25th in Darien and Norwalk. Darien’s First Selectman Jayme Stevenson will join the YWCA at 9:30 a.m. at the Darien Town Hall for the first reading of the Pledge Against Racism, followed by a reading at the Norwalk City Hall at 11:30 a.m. from Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling. For a full schedule of movie showings and events, visit http://www.ywcadariennorwalk.org/special-events/sar-2014 or call (203) 655-2535.

The YWCA’s commitment to racial justice is one of the common threads that unites YWCAs across the country. Nearly 300,000 individuals participate in YWCA racial justice programs annually to increase awareness, build trust, break down stereotypes and communication barriers and build mutual respect and understanding of racial differences. Each April, local YWCAs participate in Stand Against Racism events across the country to draw attention to the ongoing need for peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Over 65% of YWCA local associations offer intentional and distinct racial justice programs designed to help define, develop and implement strategies to address and combat individual and structural racism. For more information about Stand Against Racism, visit www.standagainstracism.org or www.ywca.org.

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving women the support and tools they need to transform their lives, be confident in their choices and raise healthy families.  Its national mission, eliminating racism and empowering women, translates locally into a vision to create opportunities for growth, leadership and empowerment for all women and families. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is located at 49 Old King’s Highway North in Darien, CT.  For more information, please visit www.ywcadariennorwalk.org or call 655-2535.