YMCA Managers Ride For White Ribbon
White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone
violence towards women.
It was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991 and has been officially adopted by the United Nations as its
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign was introduced to New Zealand by UNIFEM
(the United Nations Development Fund for Women).
The YMCA has supported White Ribbon Day in New Zealand for several years and all YMCAs are active in promoting the
message and encouraging staff and members to wear a White Ribbon. Many YMCAs also put on special events to mark this
occasion.
This year, some of the YMCA’s senior managers are also getting directly involved. YMCA New Zealand CEO Ric Odom, YMCA
Hawke’s Bay CEO Peter Andersson and YMCA Auckland CEO John Fairhurst will be participating in the inaugural White Ribbon
Ride this year. Ric and Peter will be riding from Wellington to Northland via separate routes and John plans to join
them along the way.
All three are keen motorcyclists and see this as an opportunity to make a personal expression in support of the White
Ribbon cause. John rides a Harley, Peter rides a BMW and Ric rides a Honda Gold Wing. Ric is also seeking sponsorship to
raise money for Women’s Refuge.
White Ribbon Ride ’09 will travel in four groups along four routes from Wellington to Northland and one of the groups
will stop at Tokoroa where the local YMCA has organised a small reception.
ENDS