A Letter In Solidarity with Shawna White... a female, let go by the Town of Aurora, during a pandemic when the economy is devastated, and will take a long time to recover. 

https://www.facebook.com/auroraworkingtogether/

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO LET THE TOWN OF AURORA UNDERSTAND HOW VALUABLE SHAWNA WHITE IS, AND THAT SHE DESERVES A public APOLOGY FOR THIS COLD DISMISSAL after dedicating more than half of a decade in serving our community. We are also calling for ALL TOWN OF AURORA COUNCILLORS to recognize her publicly for her extraordinary work as Curator of the Town's Museum. 

Dear Town of Aurora Councillors, residents, authorities, and organization members,

We are extremely saddened and crushed that Shawna White was let go from “Aurora Museum and Archives Division”. Shawna’s work for the Town included supporting social justice and equality through information and archiving. She has been a great ally for mothers and people of colour like me, Phiona Durrant, for marginalized families, and everyone in the town of Aurora. 

Beverly Daniel says, "We all have a sphere of influence. Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we can begin to speak." Shawna White was that sphere of influence who welcomed all stories  all voices to Bridge Cultures in Aurora with the indigenous Community, Aurora Black Community and ALL other diverse groups.

We are very thankful for her allyship and leadership in specific events such as:

1. Memorial project to honor the lives of children lost in residential school system
2. Black History month
3. Asian Heritage month
4. Redefining Town’s history and archive building projects by bringing in inclusive information management
The Aurora Black Community was in the process of getting her expert guidance in becoming self-sufficient as an organization through grant writing, grant applications and much more.  Her work for the Town was immaculate. She represented the Town of Aurora with integrity, honour and pride. She built relationships with people in the Black and other racialized communities that resulted in restored trust and collaboration with the Town. SHE MADE THE TOWN OF AURORA looked good. She denied herself all recognitions, and she gave all the praises to the town, even when it was only her who puts in the late night hours to make things happen. 

She touched lives; Made a remarkable impact in the community. She restored hope in our community especially during this cry against racism and racial injustice. She is honest and fair. She instilled confidence in women like me, knowing we have the allyship that's needed to create meaningful change. She loved her work. She loves the Town of Aurora. She was stripped of her dignity and honor as a woman and as an Ally for ALL PEOPLE regardless of their backgrounds, when she was ambushed/fired. She's irreplaceable. 

Thanks for joining us in this solidarity. Mrs. White is a dedicated woman..., and her heart is rainbow! She LOVES EVERYONE, EVERY CULTURES, AND worked with all groups equally. No job is secured BUT she deserves BETTER! She's a remarkable, authentic; a no nonsense woman, who stood up against tokenism. #STANDUPFORSHAWNAWHITE.

Shruti Kalyanaraman (PhD Student and resident - Town of Aurora)
Phiona Durrant(Entrepreneur, Community Leader & Influencer, President of Aurora Black Community Association)