AAUW is dedicated to helping members become more comfortable sharing their perspectives outside of diversity trainings and to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of their work and lives. We seek to encourage ongoing dialogue that will inspire all members to bring these values to their personal and professional interactions. Within AAUW, our goal is to turn these conversations into actionable goals and strategies for each branch. We seek to help members understand how inclusion factors into every decision made in the branch and in their lives. AAUW hopes to bring inclusion to the workplace, including transparent advancement and opportunities for development.

The AAUW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) resources aim to identify best practices for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within AAUW. These resources present guidelines for how AAUW branches, national members, student members and individual members can demonstrate an understanding of AAUW’s mission, values, goals and strategic plan. It is meant to start the inclusion conversation. We encourage all members to seek ways to incorporate inclusive practices into their branches and daily life.“

Diversity Branch Program
September 10, 2022
Dr. Sharifa Batts

Dr. Sharifa Batts

We were thrilled to have our very own member, Dr. Sharifa Batts, serve as speaker for our meeting. Dr. Batts currently serves as Vice President of Safety and Environment at Ports America and oversees operations in the Port of Los Angeles and across the United States. She holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

A native of Long Beach, Dr. Batts has been very involved with the LBUSD schools and the Long Beach community for over 20 years. Promoting excellence and equity have been important themes in her professional and community work. Dr. Batts discussed how AAUW can evolve and become a more inclusive organization with intentional recruiting. She shared aspects of her research that relate to women’s equity and our branch goals. View her presentation HERE.

October, 2022 Diversity Corner
Alyce LaViolette
October is a Big Month for Celebrating Diversity and the Acceptance of People and Circumstances that are Different from Our Own.

National Coming Out Day for the LGBTQ plus community and their allies is October 11. That day of celebration was inaugurated in 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary, both pioneers and activists in the Gay Rights Movement.  October 11th was chosen because it was the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Here are a few AAUW National website links about sexual orientation and gender identity .

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month which was introduced in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  It was created to bring awareness and support to the approximately 10 million people (most are women but also include men and children) who become victims of domestic violence every year.  Domestic violence crosses racial, status, religious and cultural boundaries.  These movements were both about educating communities and bringing awareness to these violations of human rights…but also to connect victims of homophobia and intimate partner violence and their allies. AAUW’s Public Policy supports “freedom from violence and fear of violence, including hate crimes, in homes,schools, workplaces and communities.

You can become an ally or advocate in many ways.  You can read books and articles, listen to speakers, podcasts, and TED Talks, and attend events that support these cause (you can check the Internet or call these local organizations – The Center, WomenShelter, Interval House or
Rainbow Shelter for information and local events).  You can have discussions about these issues.  You can become involved as a volunteer.  You can use your voice in the upcoming election on Tuesday November 8, 2022, to protect human rights.

With the help of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, the Branch maintains helpful information and numerous resources for our Branch members to refer to in creating a welcoming environment for members and the community.

Lastly, please tell your like-minded friends, co-workers and family members about our terrific programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion this year! You can share your newsletter, the website links, and invite them to hear a program or attend an event. They might even join! Imagine the gifts they’ll bring to enhance the advocacy of the Branch!

September, 2022 Diversity Corner

National AAUW has stated that diversity is critical to the mission and future growth of AAUW.  In alignment with the AAUW National focus on DEI, our branch DEI Committee was established in 2020 under co-presidents Jeane Caveness and Stelet Kim. The goal of the committee is to examine our branch progress in the areas of recruitment, retention and programming as it relates to diversity, as well as move DEI initiatives forward.

The DEI Committee launched a membership survey in 2020 to look at our demographic makeup and identify groups underrepresented in the branch.  Over the past year, we worked with the Membership Committee to establish goals of increasing women of color and younger women to the branch.  The DEI Committee partnered with the Programs Committee to include diversity topics in branch programs such as LGBTQ+ issues and unconscious bias.  We will continue to include diversity topics in our programs this year, as well as have icebreakers at our meetings for members to get to know each other better.  We have been discussing ways to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, especially our new members.

The DEI Committee meets monthly on the third or fourth Saturday of the month.  We welcome additional committee members. Please let Mary Ann Takemoto know if you are interested in joining the committee or have suggestions.