Response to the death of George Floyd and racial injustice

Dear Women’s Lunch Place Community,

In every way, George Floyd was born into a ceaseless and cruel war. The enemy he wrestled was both blatant and insidious. George cannot tell us his story now, but we are listening to the countless stories that reflect his as a black person in America.

Institutional impediments are the foundation upon which racial injustice stands. The structural lack of access to education, safe, affordable housing, living wage jobs, healthcare and other resources leads in a sharp, straight line to COVID deaths and to brutal, lethal attacks. We will not turn away. Today, we must come together as a community to do the hard work of dismantling these injustices.

At Women’s Lunch Place we welcome the mothers, the sisters, and the daughters. We witness not only the vulnerability, but also the courage displayed daily. We observe this despite the reality that these women are, at best, rendered invisible, and at worst, targets of violence. Our guests have histories marked by intergenerational poverty, homelessness, trauma, and physical and mental health disorders - each of these intensified through the lens of racism. It is no surprise then that 64% of our guests are racial minorities. WLP stands with all our guests as they strive for basic human rights. We are privileged to help. Access to healthy nutrition and safe, affordable housing is what everyone deserves. Your support of WLP engages you in in the battle to defray these inequities.

As we respond to two deadly diseases, COVID-19 and racism, Women’s Lunch Place will continue to stand with, and on behalf of, women. We ask you to not only stand with us in community at WLP, but to also participate in the long overdue, and critical work of building political and economic frameworks that support racial justice. It is as uncomfortable as it is necessary to hear the true history of racism in America. Listen, act, invest, and vote. 

At Women’s Lunch Place, dignity is everything. 
 
With gratitude,

Jennifer Hanlon Wigon
WLP Executive Director