news/events
2004/2005: YWCA West Central Michigan staff and board members have been participating on the Mayoral Civil Rights Recognition Commission since May 2004, hosted at the YWCA Center for Women. Mayor George Heartwell named an 18-member commission in May 2004 and charged them to "bring back to the community a range of options that will honor civil rights leaders while promoting racial unity." On January 18, 2005, the commission presented options for discussion and review to the City Commission. The options included that a steering committee of key community stakeholders be named by the Mayor to oversee implementation of the following recommended projects, presented in random order:
- Graduating Culturally Competent Students
- Recognizing Civil Rights Leaders and Promoting Diversity at the Grand Rapids Public Library and Kent District Library
- Civil Rights Multicultural Sculpture and Exhibit Garden
- Celebrating Civil Rights through Art, Essay, and Ceremony
- Lyman Parks Museum of Civil Rights History
A copy of the Mayoral Civil Rights Recognition Commission Report as presented to the City Commission can be obtained by contacting the City of Grand Rapids' Equal Opportunity Office.
