What Is DEI
The League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island and the Bluffton Area (LWVHHI-BA) embraces and seeks to embody diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as inextricable from our mission to empower voters and defend democracy. Therefore, we have made a commitment to engage in purposeful action to advance DEI beyond words. An example of purposeful action is to engage in building relationships with individuals and other organizations that have the same vision of our democratic society so that we can work together to bring that vision to reality at a quicker pace than has been the case in our nation and certainly in our state.
Gender & Sexual Identity: Understanding, Education, and Advocacy - Video of Panel Discussion
Watch the DEI Training Slideshow
Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are mutually reinforcing. Increased inclusion is associated with increased equity; the majority of organizations with higher inclusion and equity also have greater demographic diversity.
Diversity includes all of the similarities and differences among people, not limited to gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, appearance, language, accent, ability status, mental health, education, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, and political perspective or affiliation.
Equity is an approach based in fairness to ensuring everyone is given equal opportunity; this means that resources may be divided and shared unequally to make sure that each person has a fair chance to succeed. Equity takes into account that people have different access to resources because of system of oppression and privilege. Equity seeks to balance that disparity.
Inclusion is an ongoing process, not a static state of being. Inclusion is the dynamic state of operating in which diversity is leveraged to create a healthy, high-performing organization and community. Inclusion refers to the degree to which diverse individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes within an organization or group.
An inclusive environment ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. It also enables individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated and valued for who they are and for their contributions toward organizational and societal goals.
