Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—We Are On It!

We learned so much at the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 13! Thank you to everyone who participated in this hot topic in today’s world! We heard from several of you who realize the importance of having DEI be an integral part of every thought and action of our dynamic League!

Our Zoom meeting included breakout rooms that were inclusive, so all participants could share experiences that made them feel disassociated or included. Participants also shared many methods that have worked to grow the DEI part of our League. The two questions posed for our breakout room discussions were:

• What unifying values do we want to promote for DEI in our daily activities?
• How do we promote DEI values and get more diverse members?

The results were fabulous! Participants suggested that members become active in social justice meetings, groups at local churches and temples, sorority alumni groups, and youth groups. It was also suggested that we collaborate with organizations on projects with similar goals and invite the leaders of those organizations to participate in the League’s projects and events. One of our members said that she would help to kick off a chapter of LWV at Pasadena City College. Woohoo!!! This brainstorming promises to be a great beginning to increase DEI consciousness. We loved all these ideas and will be putting them into action.

We plan to have this type of DEI meeting quarterly for now. I am looking for a DEI co-chair. Let me know if you would like to help our League move forward with DEI in this or any other role. Also, if you have any DEI ideas for our League, feel free to contact me via email.

Happy Fourth of July! And remember: One of the things that our country was founded on was diversity!

—Carina Jacob, DEI Co-chair (carinajacob [at] sbcglobal.net)