Voices for Justice - January by YWCA Princeton

racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity

DearFriends,

Thepastyeartestedourresolveandreaffirmedwhyourmissionmatterssodeeply. Throughout2025,ourcommunityfacedcomplexandoftendifficultrealities-shifting policies,economicstrain,andthepersistentinequitiesthatcontinuetodemandaction Eachchallengeunderscoredtheurgencyofourworktoeliminateracism,empower women,andadvancepeace,justice,freedom,anddignityforall Inmomentsof uncertainty,ourcommunitychosecourageandcollectiveaction,andforthat,weremain deeplyproudandunwaveringinourcommitmenttothoseweserve.

Wewitnessedpeoplecometogetherinmeaningfulways-neighborssupportingneighbors, apowerfuloutpouringofcareforthosemostimpacted,andstrongcivicengagementwith recordvoterturnoutnumbersthatreflectedabeliefintheimportanceofparticipationand voice Wewelcomednewparticipantsacrossourprogramsandexperiencedgrowthin bothreachandimpact Throughitall,ourdedicationtomissionneverfaltered,andour communitystoodwithus,sidebysideinbuildingamorejustandequitablefuture.

Aswelookaheadto2026,wedosowithrenewedenergyandoptimism.Theyearahead bringsimportantopportunitiesforgrowth,deeperengagement,andcontinuedprogress Weenterthisnextchaptergratefulforhowfarwehavecome,inspiredbywhatliesahead, andreadytocontinuethisworktogether

Withpurposeandhope, ecutiveOfficer

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

YWCA USA’s statement on violence in Minnesota New Laws in 2026

Women Making History at the Winter Olympics

Thank you to the Murphy Administration

What We’re Reading This Year

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Aswereflecto reminded thathiswords observances. thatspeaks directlytothe

Dr.Kingwarnedusthat“injusticeanywhereisathreattojusticeeverywhere.”In ourcurrentmoment,communitiesacrossthecountryaregrapplingwithfear, division,andviolencethatshowupinmanyforms,whetherthroughdehumanizing rhetoric,inequitablesystems,ortheerosionoftrustandsafetyinpubliclife.These forcesdonotaffectonlyonegroup;theyrippleoutward,shapingthewell-beingof entirecommunitiesandthevalueswepassontothenextgeneration.

Dr.Kingalsocautionedagainstthecomfortofsilenceandthefalsepromiseof “waitingforabettertime.”Justice,heremindedus,isnotself-executing.Itrequires peopleofconsciencetospeakup,toshowup,andtoresistthenormalizationof harm,especiallywhenitbecomesroutineorpoliticallyexpedient.

AtYWCA,ourmissiontoeliminateracism,empowerwomen,andpromotepeace, justice,freedom,anddignityforallplacesusfirmlywithinthiscall.Dr.King’svision ofthebelovedcommunitychallengesustolookbeyondourdifferencesand recognizeoursharedresponsibilityforoneanother’ssafety,dignity,and opportunity.Itasksustoconfrontsystemsthatperpetuateinequityandtobuild spaceswherecompassionandaccountabilitycoexist.

Nonviolence,asDr.Kingtaught,wasneverpassive.Itwasanactive,disciplined commitmenttojusticerootedinlove.Alovestrongenoughtochallenge wrongdoingandcourageousenoughtoimaginesomethingbetter.Inaworldthat toooftenrespondstofearwithforceorindifference,hisinsistenceonloveasa transformativesocialpowerremainsprofoundlyrelevant.

AswehonorDr.Kingthisweekend,letusrecommittobeingbuildersofcommunity, defendersofdignity,andadvocatesforjusticeinoureverydaychoices.Hiswords endurebecausetheworkremainsunfinishedandbecauseeachgenerationmust decideanewhowitwillanswerhiscall.

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YWCAUSAish grationand CustomsEnfo st condolencest arful,and shakenbythisactofviolence.WestandinsolidaritywithYWCAMinneapolisandthe broaderTwinCitiescommunityastheyconfrontthisdevastatingloss.

Thiskillingisnotanisolatedtragedy.Itreflectsadeeplytroublingpatternof immigrationenforcementpracticesthatdisproportionatelytargetimmigrant communitiesandotherhistoricallymarginalizedpeople,placinglivesatriskand erodingtrustinpublicinstitutions.Acrossthecountry,aggressiveandmilitarized immigrationenforcementhasfosteredaclimateoffearthatdestabilizesfamilies, traumatizeschildren,andunderminescommunitywell-being.Whengovernment actorsusedeadlyforceinroutineenforcementencounters,itrepresentsaprofound affronttocivilliberties,humandignity,andtheprinciplesofjusticeandsafetythat shouldguideournation.

Whenfederalenforcementsystemsoperatewithoutsufficientsafeguardstoprotect allpeople particularlywomenandchildren theconsequencesextendfarbeyond asingleencounter.Theseactionsreverberatethroughfamiliesandneighborhoods, fracturingtrust,destabilizinghouseholds,andcreatinglastingtraumathatcan followchildrenintoclassrooms,caregiversintoworkplaces,andcommunitiesinto everyaspectofdailylife.Overthepastyear,wehaveseenatroublingescalationin immigrationenforcementpracticesthatplacewomenandchildreninharm’sway, disruptfamilystability,andunderminetheconditionsnecessaryforpeopletofeel safe,supported,andabletothrive.

“YWCAwasfoundedonthebeliefthateverypersondeservessafety,dignity,andthe opportunitytothrive,”saidMargaretMitchell,CEOofYWCAUSA.“For167years, across32presidentialadministrations,wehaveremainedsteadfastinour commitmenttoimprovingthelivesofwomen,children,families,andcommunities withoutregardtopoliticsorimmigrationstatus.Violenceanddehumanization havenoplaceinthatvision,andwemustcontinuetospeakoutwhenpoliciesand practicesputhumanlivesinharm’sway.”

New Year, New Laws

Thebeginningofanewyearcomeswithresolutions,resetson healthcarepremiums,andaslateofnewlawsthatwentintoeffectin NewJersey.Avoidbeingunpreparedandreaduponsomeofthechanges comingtoNewJerseyin2026:

17-year-oldscannowvoteinprimaries:A17-year-oldthat isregisteredtovoteandwillturn18bythegeneralelectionis nowabletovoteinthatyear’sprimaryelections.Thisisabig winforyoungvotersandallowsthemtotakealargerpartof thedemocraticprocess.While17-year-oldscanregisterto vote(andshould),theywillnowhavealargersayinthe candidatesweseeontheballotinNovember.Inthe2026 electionall12membersofNewJersey’sHouseof Representativesdelegationwillbeontheballot,includingan openseatinthe12thdistrictfollowingBonnieWatson Coleman'sretirement,andtheUSSenateseatwhereCory Bookerisrunningforreelection.Markyourcalendars–the primaryelectionisscheduledforTuesdayJune2nd.

Minimumwagegoesup:

Thestandardminimumwage acrossthestateasofJanuary1stis$15.92anhourtoreflect thecurrenteconomyandinflation.Theminimumwagefor tippedworkershasalsoincreasedto$6.05anhour.This meansthatsinglefulltimehourlyemployersarenowmaking doublethefederalpovertyline.

Studentcellphonepolicy:

Startingwiththe2026-2027 schoolyear,NewJerseypublicschoolsarerequiredtoadopt policiesthatrestrictstudents’useofcellphonesduringthe schooldayforstudentsK-12.Thoughitisnotacompleteban oncellphonesintheclassroom,itrequiredschooldistrictsto comeupwithpolicieslimitingusage.

DepartmentofVeteransAffairs:Anewlawhasestablished astandaloneDepartmentofVeteransAffairs.Thisnewoffice willbetterserveandconnectveteranstoserviceslike housing,healthcare,andmentalhealthsupport.

Winter Olympics and Gender Equity

Womenwillmakeup47%ofallathletesatthisyear’sWinterOlympics, themostatanywintergamesEVER.Therewillalsobemore opportunitiesforwomentowinmedalswithmorewomen’sevents addedtotheschedule.HerearesomeofthetopfemaleAmerican athletesthatwearelookingforwardtowatchingthisyear:

IsabeauLevito,FigureSkater-ThisBurlingtonCountyresident madetheUSOlympicteamandisexcitedtoparticipateinher firstOlympics!Atonly18-years-old,theformerWorldJunior Championshipwinnerishopingtoseethepodiumonceagain.

ErinJackson,SpeedSkater-AttheBeijingOlympicsin2022, ErinbecamethefirstBlackwomantowinanindividualOlympic goldmedalinanywintersport,fromanycountry,ever.This long-trackspeedskaterisbackandlookingforwardtoarepeat performanceinMilan.

ChloeKim,Snowboarder-TocallChloeKimjustasnowboarder feelslikeaninsult.ChloewonherfirstOlympicgoldmedalatthe ageof17andwonback-to-backholdmedalsin2018and2022, makingherthefirstAmericanwomantowintwosnowboarding medals.AsaKorean-Americanwoman,shegaverepresentation tomanyyounggirlsthatdidn’tseeaspaceforthemselvesin wintersports.ThoughanearlyJanuaryshouldinjurymightkeep heroutofcompetition,wewouldlovetoseeherwinherthird goldmedal.

LindseyVonn,AlpineSkier-Lindseyiscompetinginherfifth Olympicgames.Afterretiringfromcompetitionin2019anda partialkneereplacement,shehasqualifiedtorepresentTeam USAat41yearsoldprovingthatwomenarecapableofanything atanyage!

Thank you Murphy Administration

Overthelasteightyears,NewJerseyhasexperiencedgrowthand transformationinalmosteveryfacetoflife.Undertheleadershipof GovernorPhilMurphyandhisadministration,thestatehasmadehistoric investmentsinitspeople.Fromhealthcareprotectionstotheexpansion ofearlychildhoodeducation,wearegratefulforthestridesmadebythe MurphyAdministrationandwantedtoshineaspotlightonsomeoftheir mostimpactfulmomentsandaccomplishments.

1.Raisingtheminimumwage

WhenGovernorMurphyfirsttookofficein2018,thestateminimumwage was$8.60anhour.Withinayearoftakingoffice,Murphysignedalaw thatphasedinminimumwageincreasestoeventuallyreach$15perhour byJanuary2024.Asoftoday,thestatewideminimumwageis$15.92an hour.

2.Increaseinaffordablehousing

UndertheMurphyAdministration,NewJerseysignificantlyexpanded affordablehousingdevelopmentandinvestments.Inthoseeightyears, surpassedmorethan200,000housingpermitsapprovedandover$108 millionhasbeenawardedtosupportaffordablehousingunits.Healso strengthenedtheMountLaurel(statelawthatrequiresafairshareof low-incomeandaffordablehousinginnewbuildingprojects)doctrine requiringeverymunicipalityinthestatetoadoptupdatedhousingplans tocoverfuturehousingneeds.

3.Commitmenttoearlychildhoodeducation

GovernorMurphymadeaccesstoearlychildhoodeducationapriorityof hisadministration,workingtowardsexpandingstate-fundedpreschool opportunitiesandincreasingfundingbyhundredsofmillionsofdollars. Inadditiontoopportunitiesformorestudentstoenrollinschool,the administrationdedicatedfundingtosupportchildcarestaffandfacility upgrades.

4.NurtureNJandacommitmenttobetteringmaternalhealth outcomes

NurtureNJisastatewideinitiativelaunchedundertheMurphy administrationandspearheadedbyFirstLadyTammyMurphy.The programlaunchedin2019tocombatthehighmaternalmortalityand morbidityratesinNewJersey,andaddressthetheracialdisparitiesin birthoutcomesthroughoutthestate.Mostrecently,NurtureNJleadto thecreationoftheMaternalandInfantHealthInnovationAuthority creatingapathwayforcontinuedresearchandprogressaftertheMurphy Administrationends.

5.Increaseinearlyvotingaccess

Forthefirsttime,NewJerseyresidentshadaccesstoearlyvotingin2021 whenGovernorMurphyallowedvoterstocasttheirvotebeforeElection Dayatspecificpollinglocationsforbothprimaryandgeneralelections. Inthe2024presidentialelection,nearly1.2millionNewJerseyvoters usedearlyvotingoptions.DuringMurphy’stenureasGovernor,thestate alsolaunchedonlinevoterregistrationin2020andin2024Governor MurphysignedtheNewVoterEmpowermentActallowing17-year-oldsto voteintheJuneprimariesiftheywillbe18bythegeneralelection.

6.Expandedreproductivehealthcareaccess

EvenbeforethecontroversialDobbsdecision,GovernorMurphysigneda seriesoflawsprotectingreproductivefreedomsinNewJerseyensuring thatNewJerseyresidentscouldreceiveaccesstoreproductivecare regardlessofthefederallaws.TheMurphyAdministrationexpanded insurancecoverageforreproductivehealthservices,strengthened providerprotectionssomedicalprofessionalscoulddelivercarewithout fearofcivilorcriminalpenalties,andinvestedmillionsofdollarsin reproductivehealthclinics.

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Ifyoumissed lastmonth,y onHealthEq yourqualityo DarleneNaw andhealthcareexpertsinaconversationonhow tobetterhealthoutcomesandseekthebest medicalassistanceforyourneeds.Botheditions of The Equity Exchange canbefoundonour Youtubechannelatthelinkbelow

THEEQUITYEXCHANGE

nth partnering storyMonth sfilm Hale innerofthe ryPrize The documentaryfollowsthelivesofDanielCollinsand QuincyBryant,twoAfricanAmericanmenlivingin ruralAlabama,overthecourseoffiveyearsas DanielpursuesacollegedegreewhileQuincy becomesaparent Thisonenightonlyeventwill takeplaceonWednesdayFebruary25 at7pmat TheGardenTheatre Moreinformationaboutthe filmcanbefoundHERE th

BUYYOURTICKET

Black History Month Profiles

Overthepastyear,YWCAPrincetonhasprofiled incrediblepeoplethroughourEquityvideo series.Lastyear’sBlackHistoryvideosfocused onthetheme African-Americans and Labor and featuredprofilesonBlackhistorypioneerslike A PhilipRandolphandDorothyBolden Forthis year’stheme A Century of Black History Commemorations wewilltakeadeeperdiveon specificeventsinthedecadesthatmadeBlack historyandpopculturemainstream.Besureto staytunedtoouremailsandsocialmedia channelsfortheseries,newvideoswilldrop weeklythroughoutthemonthofFebruary

BLACKHISTORYMONTHVIDEOS

Be an Advocate

Gettinginvolvedpoliticallyisoneofthemost powerfulwaysyoucanmakeyourvoiceheard, influencepublicpolicy,andhelpshapethe futureofyourcommunity.YWCAPrinceton’s advocatepageisagreatplacetogetstarted! Here,youcanlearnmoreaboutourlegislative priorities,findcontactinformationandsample emailsforyourrepresentatives,andsignupfor ouradvocacyemailsformoreurgentemails Whetheryou’renewtocivicengagementora seasonedadvocate,stayinginformedand sharinginformationhelpstoholdourelected officialsaccountableandmakesureour governmentisinclusiveofitscitizens!