Joe Thompson performs at The Paramount Theater for a group of school children.

The Bristol YWCA recently won a National Racial Justice Award for their community collaborations. Below is the text of a press release announcing that the Bristol YWCA was the recipient of a National Racial Justice Award for its community programming in 2005-2006. One aspect of this programming was the performance by Joe Thompson [0]. Joe, a featured performer at the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, represents a tradition of Afro-American country fiddling that has largely disappeared. The performance complemented efforts of the two organizations to celebrate African American history month.

On Friday, February 3rd, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance held a free performance for local schools. This was attended by a total of 567 students ranging from pre-school to 12th grade, including members of the job corps and a special needs class. On Saturday, February 4th a wide cross section of the community attended the public performance.

Outreach activities included a live performance on public radio (WETS) by Joe Thompson on February 3. Additionally, Joe was the subject of a project family special on the 6 o’clock news on Friday February 3 on WCYB TV 5. Finally, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance created educational materials [0] for the students which were posted to create activities before or after the performance whereby they can learn more about Joe Thompson and the African American roots of Appalachian music.

The show was a success for the various organizations involved, as each saw it as a positive way to reach new audiences and fulfill their mission. During one the performances, the students were asked how many had never seen music performed live, to which between one third and one half responded. This type of activity fills that need. Plans are underway to continue with the partnership to provide more education opportunities in the future.

The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is happy to be a partner with other community organizations and we salute the hard work and dedicate of the staff, volunteers, and board of directors of the Bristol YWCA that earned this award.

YWCA USA Honors for Significant Strides in Eliminating Racism Programs at the YWCA are designed to eliminate racism, achieve racial parity and embrace diversity. This is the YWCA mission and it resonates throughout every aspect of the programs offered to the community and the core activities the YWCA performs daily. Over the years, the YWCA Bristol has been instrumental in a variety of racial justice programs. The YWCA has demonstrated a passionate commitment to eliminate racism throughout its 63 year history, beginning in the 1950s when black women and children were quietly welcomed to participate in programming even before integration. At the time, this was a very courageous stand to take. When integration was mandated, this association was the first agency to formally open its doors to the black members of the community.

This type of long standing commitment to racial justice allowed YWCA Bristol to stand out among other associations when the YWCA USA went through the selection process for its 2006 Racial Justice Award. YWCA Bristol was presented the handcrafted sculpture made of pewter, silver and gold titled “Diversity” at its 2006 Racial Justice Awards Dinner, the premiere event of the 2006 YWCA USA Annual Meeting.

Kathy Waugh, YWCA Bristol Executive Director, said “The YWCA’s coalition with other community agencies and leaders was instrumental in the judging process. So it was only appropriate for us to share this great honor with them. This national award is not only a tribute to the efforts of the YWCA staff, and Board but for this entire region. We need to celebrate this success together.”

One of the key factors in this achievement was the high level of community involvement and support sustained in the Bristol community. YWCA Bristol recognizes the value of community partnerships. These organizations were honored at a press conference and reception on June 13, 2006: Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, Brenda White Wright, Bristol Chamber of Commerce Bristol Youth Leadership and LEAD Bristol! programs, Bristol Tennessee City Schools, Joe Thompson, Rhythm & Roots Reunion, The Paramount Centre, Tri-City Indian Women’s Association and Unity in the Community. At the event, each organization was presented a special award recognizing their commitment in furthering the YWCA mission of racial justice and unity.

Peggy Sanchez Mills, CEO of the YWCA USA, said “The association award recipient was chosen on the basis of its understanding of racial issues, its internal structure showing an appreciation for diversity, its outstanding racial justice programs and its work with community agencies and leaders to bring about change.”

The following is an excerpt of the YWCA USA press release on the Racial Justice Award:

YWCA Bristol: A proven pioneer in the push to eliminate racism, the YWCA Bristol has demonstrated a commitment to racial justice throughout its 63-year history. The association has developed significant racial justice programs, such as an anti-bias curriculum at its YW Children’s Center and Wellmont Child Development Center, the Bristol Youth Leadership annual Racism/Classism/Sexism training, the Leadership Registry and Anti-Racism Resource Directory, Study Circles, and Black History Month activities.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathy Waugh, the association updated programs to educate and demonstrate a deeper understanding of racism, and developed a Mission Assessment Committee to ensure the issue is effectively addressed in all areas of its operations. At the committee’s suggestion, the YW incorporated elements of diversity into pledge cards distributed during its annual YWCA Week Without Violence activities to keep students mindful of the need for racial justice.

Capitalizing on their city’s rich musical heritage, members of the YWCA Bristol team seized an opportunity to use music to connect races with the “Talent Trumps Prejudice” program. They sponsored African-American fiddler Joe Thompson to play at the city’s largest music festival, providing historically and culturally significant music.

This organization must whole-heartedly express our deepest gratitude to the YWCA Bristol membership for the continued support, participation, and interest in the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.