An Intersection, An Opportunity: Our Path Forward

A Message from YWCA South Florida President & CEO Kerry-Ann Royes

Today, our country comes to a rare intersection of two historic events in our nation’s long and winding road. It’s not the first time Martin Luther King Jr. Day has fallen on a presidential Inauguration Day, but it may be the most polarizing one in history. But I believe the ability to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on this day is gift — a reminder of the greater good of unity and the formidable drive of the human spirit toward that goal.

So, this Monday, some of us will look to the right and dive headlong into community service in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some will turn left and tune in to the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald J. Trump. Some of us, overwhelmed by moment or in care of ourselves and our community, will do neither. We each meet this moment in our own way.

At YWCA South Florida, we will always be vigilant towards racism, sexism and xenophobia and their destructive impacts on our community. Today, we will take the path less traveled. We will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and listen carefully to our new president’s words. In the words of MLK’s daughter Bernice A. King: "This is not a time for ignorance. We cannot develop a strategic, love-centered strategy for addressing language and legislation if we are not strategic in our listening and leadership." 

It is with this perspective that we face what’s to come. What we are certain of: YWCA promises to drive unity in our community, while facing the hard work of uprooting injustice and inequity, until the world sees women, girls and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable. Our commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women carries on.

Holding space for all that today brings,

Kerry-Ann Royes
President and CEO
YWCA South Florida