Pasadena’s commitment to social change takes center stage on Oct. 23 as community leaders gather for the 23rd Annual Women for Racial Justice Breakfast at the Hilton Pasadena.
Organized by YWCA Glendale & Pasadena, the breakfast advances the mission “to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”
Keynote speaker Joanna S. Jackson, president and CEO of the Weingart Foundation, brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership. Jackson has spearheaded initiatives with UNICEF USA, The California Endowment and the City of San José. In a recent interview, she urged funders to embrace collaboration: “Trusting your partners means being humble enough to learn alongside them.” Challenging philanthropy to break from tradition, she added, “We don’t have to keep doing the routine thing,” and paid tribute to her civil rights–era family legacy: “It builds on the shoulders of my mother, my grandmother, my father and my grandfather, courageous freedom fighters.”
The breakfast honors local changemakers—the past year’s awardees included Heavenly Hughes, Debra Ward, Helen Iris Torres and Christy Zamani, introduced by Congressmember Judy Chu. Previous themes such as “Illuminating Bridges in Solidarity” have underscored the event’s role in fostering cross-community dialogue. YWCA merger efforts now serve more than 2,500 women and girls annually through emergency shelter, youth programs and advocacy.
The 23rd Annual Women for Racial Justice Breakfast will run on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.Hilton Pasadena, 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. For more call (818) 242-4155 or visit https://ywcagp.org/events-feed/23rd-annual-women-for-racial-justice-breakfast. Tickets: $125 to $25,000.
