Coordinated by Dr. Michelle Toohey, the YWCA Racial Justice Committee is pleased to offer the second event in a program series titled Healthy Conversations. These presentations support the YWCA mission, “…promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

 The youngest poet to perform at a U.S. Presidential Inauguration, Amanda Gorman stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2021, and addressed a country traumatized by a pandemic and the January 6 insurrection. What seemed like simple verses on a page were brought to life through her gestures, facial expressions and the rhythm of her words. 

 After watching her performances and reading from her poetry anthology Call Us What We Carry, take part in a discussion about her message of hope and responsibility, “…our people diverse and dutiful / we’ll emerge battered but beautiful…”

Panelists:

• Professor Christopher Davis, Professor of English at Westmoreland County Community College
• Ruth Tolbert, Associate Pastor of the Greater Parkview Church and President of the Jeannette/Greensburg NAACP
• N’Dia Smith (student presenter)
• Gabrielle Skillings (student presenter)
• Tomaso Contreres Barnette (student presenter)

Please join us! Register by email: marketing@ywcawestmoreland.org 

OR by calling the YWCA at 724- 834-9390.