Since 2002, the YWCA’s Women for Racial Justice Breakfast has brought hundreds of Pasadena’s most influential members of the business, civic, and philanthropic communities together to share in the YWCA's efforts to promote and support racial justice.


This year the YWCA is honoring Emerging Leaders in the fight for Racial Justice.



Al Otro Lado will be presented with the Racial Justice Award for a Nonprofit Organization at the event for it’s dedication to assisting low-income immigrants with reunification, relief, and justice on both sides of the border. Al Otro Lado is a bi-national, direct legal services nonprofit organization serving indigent deportees, immigrants, and refugees. The organization also coordinates with attorneys and non-legal professionals in a range of areas such as family law, labor law, criminal law, and employment law. Wherever possible, Al Otro Lado attorneys work to assist deportees who are able to legally return to the United States.


 Jasmine Richards will also be presented the Racial Justice Award for an Individual for her tireless championing of under-served and under-represented Black Pasadena youth, and for her courage in standing up to law enforcement practices affecting people and communities of color. Jasmine is a community organizer, freedom fighter, and founder of Black Lives Matter Pasadena. Jasmine also created and runs Freedom School, a grassroots summer program that provides educational activities for youth in Northwest Pasadena with fun, culturally relevant activities in a safe and supportive setting.


YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley is also excited to announce that Emiliana Gueraca, founder of Women’s March LA Foundation, will be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Women for Racial Justice Breakfast. Emiliana Gueraca an award-winning event producer who devotes much of her time to advocacy programs for women’s rights, Latinx education, and gender equality. In 2016, Emiliana founded the Women’s March LA Foundation and is the driving force behind the official Women’s March in Los Angeles.