ISSUE #8
YWCA Princeton is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
In this newsletter you can expect: Dear Friends, As this year comes to a close, we do so in a world shaped by uncertainty and too often, by fear. Yet even in these moments, we are reminded that our greatest strength lies in community: in coming together to support our neighbors, to stay informed, and to participate actively in the democratic and civic life that shapes our collective future.
Visit to the Alice Paul Center
As I write this, I am holding deep sorrow for the lives lost over the weekend at Brown University and in my beloved home country of Australia. Unfortunately, these are only 2 examples of such tragedies throughout 2025. We may never fully know the circumstances or motivations behind these tragedies. What we do know is the enduring impact on families, friends, and communities left to grieve and the profound responsibility we share to confront hatred, violence, and division wherever they arise.
The People’s Agenda
At YWCA Princeton, advocacy is not abstract. It is rooted in the belief that silence is not neutral, that equity cannot wait, and that peace is built through action. Through Voices for Justice, we lift up the issues that demand our attention and our participation because being informed is a form of power, and engagement is an act of care. As we look ahead to the new year, let us recommit to standing together: listening deeply, supporting one another, and choosing courage over complacency. May we meet uncertainty with resolve, fear with solidarity, and loss with a renewed determination to build a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world for all. With purpose and hope, Rose Wong, Chief Executive Officer
Donate to support our advocacy efforts
Equity Exchange
Black History Month Screening
Equity Video Series
Volunteer Newsletter
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YOUR VOICE. YOUR VOTE. YOUR FUTURE. A Visit to the Alice Paul Center by Brigitte Jean-Louis, Director of Mission Advancement
I’ve lived in Burlington County for three years and have slowly gotten to know the area. I knew about the Amish market in Columbus, the Rowan College campus in Mount Laurel, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst...but I never knew that it was also the birthplace of international suffragette, Alice Paul. The Alice Paul Centennial Foundation was founded in 1984 to commemorate Paul’s birthday. Shortly after, the group purchased Paul’s childhood home “Paulsdale” and turned it into what we know it as today, the Alice Paul Center for Gender Equity (formerly the Alice Paul Institute). Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Mt. Laurel, The Alice Paul Center stands as a beacon of hope and history. Darlene, YWCA Princeton’s Equity Coordinator, and I got to spend an afternoon with Olivia, Public Programs Manager at the Alice Paul Center, to learn more about Alice Paul and the work that she did. What I found most surprising was that much of the information being shared was new to me. I grew up in New Jersey and am a proud product of a New Jersey education from Kindergarten through my undergraduate degree, but in all of those years of education, Alice Paul was only mentioned via a brief partial screening of Iron Jawed Angels during Honors US History. Before we start the next election cycle, I encourage you all to visit Paulsdale, you might just learn something! The center is open for tours Thursdays and Fridays from to 12 to 5 pm throughout the year and start at $12 per person.
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DONATIONS NEEDED YOUR SUPPORT CAN MAKE ADIFFERENCE! We are excited to announce our new program, Circle of Care Cupboard (CCC). The CCC is a community-based program designed to support individuals and families facing challenges in accessing essential items. Our Circle of Care Cupboard provides additional assistance with groceries, cleaning products, hygiene items and more. Donations of any size help us keep the cupboard stocked and provide essential items to those who need them the most. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact in our community. Please consider donating today!
DROP-OFF LOCATION
ITEMS NEEDED Nonperishable items Pasta, rice, noodles, beans, flour, sugar, cereal, peanutbutter, jelly, crackers
General hygiene items Toothpaste, soap, shampoo/conditioner, body lotion, hair products
Children hygiene items Same as above
Female hygiene items Tampons, sanitary pads, etc...
Laundry products Liquid detergent and softener, and pods
Baby products Baby food, baby puree products, baby formula (powder and liquid), diapers (different sizes), baby wipes, Pedialyte
YWCA Princeton 59 Paul Robeson Pl, Princeton, NJ 08540 Contact us to coordinate a time to drop off items!
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What is... In the November issue, we defined the “Lame Duck Period” and some of the federal legislation that has come out of it. Lead by the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU NJ), a coalition of New Jersey advocacy organizations have put together the “People’s Agenda,” a list of bills they are encouraging Governor Murphy and the 220th session of the state legislature to pass before the current session ends. From bills that expand rights of residents of the state to the closure of corporate loopholes, the passage of these bills would ensure that New Jersey is a more welcoming, equitable, accessible, and just state. Keep reading for information on each of the bills and what you can do to help advance them. S3672/A4987 New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act - Limits New Jersey’s involvement in the federal detention and deportation system and allows New Jerseyans to seek protection and support from state and local agencies without fear of deportation. There are 12 states that have already passed some fort of sanctuary law and 26 towns in New Jersey have passed local resolutions in support of the Immigrant Trust Act, including a unanimous passage by the Princeton Council this summer. S3009/A4083 John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey Strengthens voting rights and access in New Jersey by expanding protections against discrimination, increasing voter participation, and safeguarding elections with an emphasis on historically underrepresented communities including racial and language minorities. There are 8 other states that have passed similar legislation as a direct response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder. S3545/A4696 Climate Superfund Act - Establishes a new legal framework in New Jersey for holding certain fossil fuel companies financially responsible for damages caused by climate change to the state and its residents. The funds collected would be used to build stronger, climate prepared infrastructure and support communities dealing with climate impacts.
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... The People’s Agenda? S3491/A4656 Gender Affirming Care Protections - Makes it a crime to intentionally interfere with someone’s access to reproductive or gender-affirming health care services. This includes physically blocking access to or from facilities offering these services, threatening or intimidating individuals attempting to receive these services, and filming patients entering buildings providing these services. S3452/A4601 Reproductive Healthcare Insurance Coverage Requires insurance coverage for reproductive health care services, including abortion, without extra out of pocket costs. S2338/A4463 Rehabilitative Release/ Second Look - Establishes a rehabilitative compassionate release process for older incarcerated individuals that have served at least 20 years of their sentence. S2348/A4175 Use of Force Policy - Ensures that New Jersey’s “use of force” policy is updated regularly and reflects best practices around when officers may use force. This bill puts the Attorney General in charge of reviewing the process every two years. Are you fired up yet? Here’s what you can do! Contact your state senator or assembly member and ask them to support the bill(s) you support. Visit our Voter Information Hub to find your state representative and their email addresses. Urge them to advance this legislation and protect the citizens of New Jersey. Not sure where to start? Visit our Advocate page to see sample language and read through our representative email templates. If your representative is already a supporter, ask them to urge Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Speaker of the Assembly Craig Coughlin to add the bill to the agenda before this session of the state legislature ends on January 13th, 2026. If these bills don’t advance then, the process starts all over again. Click to read ACLU NJ’s coverage of The People’s Agenda rally YWCA Princeton staff attended!
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The Equity Exchange Presents...
Black History Month Screening
Join us on Friday December 19th at 12 pm for our second webinar from The Equity Exchange, YWCA Princeton’s year-long educational series focused on addressing a different facet of social and racial equity. This webinar features local, state, and national voices in a discussion of navigating bias, barriers, and care in the New Jersey healthcare space. Hosted by Equity Coordinator Darlene Nawuridam, this conversation will leave audience members informed and ready to advocate for themselves with insurance and healthcare providers. Click the link below to register. Can’t make it? A recording of the conversation will be available on our Youtube channel the following week. REGISTER
For the fourth consecutive year, we are partnering with The Garden Theatre for a Black History Month screening and speaker event. This year’s film Hale County This Morning, This Evening is a winner of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize. The documentary follows the lives of Daniel Collins and Quincy Bryant, two African American men living in rural Alabama, over the course of five years as Daniel pursues a college degree while Quincy becomes a parent. This one night only event will take place on Wednesday February 25th at 7 pm at The Garden Theatre. More information about the film can be found HERE.
Equity Profiles
Volunteer Newsletter
Over the past year, YWCA Princeton has profiled incredible people through our Equity video series. From Black History Month to most recently Native American History Month, we have shone a spotlight on often forgotten heroes in our society and providing representation that we can all be proud of. Click through the links below to watch some of the videos we’ve done this year!
YWCA Princeton recently launched a monthly newsletter highlighting all of the volunteer opportunities our programs have to offer. This month’s offerings included volunteer teaching in our English as a Second Language Program, helping to sort shirts for our advocacy department, and sorting through donated food for our Circle of Care Cupboard! If you are interested in being added to our volunteer list, please visit the link listed below to sign up! Our offerings are sent out the first week of each month. Volunteering at YWCA Princeton strengthens our community, supports survivors, and helps create safer, more equitable opportunities for women, children, and families. Get involved today! Volunteer
Black History Month Videos Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Pride Month
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YOUR HEALTH, YOUR POWER: NAVIGATING BIAS, BARRIERS, & CARE IN NJ
Your Health, Your Power is a community conversation designed to help NJ residents understand health inequities, navigate medical spaces with confidence, and access the care they deserve. Learn practical tools for advocating for yourself at the doctor’s office, understanding your insurance options, and connecting with trusted community health resources.
Friday, December 19th
12-1PM
Zoom ***Must register
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Aissa Oduro
Cheryl Towns Jamila McLean Esther Ajayi-Lowo Meghan Blair
Senior Care Coordination Chief Health Officer, Specialist – ScreenNJ Trenton Health Team
Director of Health Equity, Assistant Professor of Navigator, The New Jersey State Health and Value Hospital Association Women and Gender Strategies, Princeton Studies, Texas Christian University University
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