Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Twenty members of Greater Whittier Area AAUW are reading The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones as our DEI book selection. The Last Chinese Chef is a story of an American food writer, Maggie, as she travels to Beijing after the loss of her husband. The story of her journey is compelling and filled with human connections. Many of you may have read this book already and will be revisiting it as we focus on the artistry of China’s cuisine and gain insight into Chinese culinary culture.
Members who signed up to participate in this year’s DEI book activity have received 10 questions that will serve as a basis of our discussion of the role of foods, preparation and rituals in Chinese history.
We will expand the discussion to look at other countries and the influence of culinary traditions and rituals in their cultures.
Our discussion of the book will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 1:30 at Pat Dudley’s house. Members who have indicated they are reading the book will be receiving additional discussion topics and be asked to RSVP to the discussion session.
An outing to a Chinese restaurant in Arcadia that has a connection to the book is being planned by Belen Duarte-Sousa. More information will be sent to readers at a later date.
It’s not too late to sign up to be included in the DEI Reads activity. Contact Pat Dudley at kpdudley2002@yahoo.com to receive the discussion questions and additional information on the outing.
DEI, what it is and what it isn’t. You have probably been inundated with headlines and news reports surrounding the demise of DEI. Keep in mind that DEI are just letters of the alphabet that have come to represent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In fact, the letter A is often attached to become DEIA with the A standing for Accessibility. The actual policies and programs making up DEIA date back to the 1960’s when many policies, programs and safe guards were put in place to create equity for all regardless of race, gender, religion and disabilities and have continued to evolve to address specific societal subgroups. Arm yourself with facts to inform your understanding and reactions to the current focus on DEI.
Another activity inspired by our discussions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility is our co-sponsoring of the Reel Club film at the Whittier Library on March 17, see the flyer below.
Pat Dudley
DEI Coordinator
A co-sponsored event by GWA-AAUW and the Whittier Public Library
Monday, March 17 @ 6 PM
Central Library Community Room
In the spirit of Women’s History Month and with a focus on equity and inclusion, we are presenting the documentary film “Becoming Helen Keller”.
Over 100 years ago, Helen Keller was a “rock star” in her era. She was well known and, despite her own disabilities, she used her celebrity to advocate for social justice, particularly for women, people with disabilities, and people living in poverty. You may be surprised to learn about her long life and career, and how it remains relevant to our present. Perhaps you know of Helen Keller by the movie “The Miracle Worker” about a little girl that overcame blindness and deafness. This is the story about a very full life that happened after the movie.
Hopefully, this story can inspire us in our support for disability rights and to advocate for empathy, understanding and more inclusion in our world.
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BOTH LIBRARIES
Whittier Central Library Whittwood Branch Library
7344 Washington Ave. 10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602 Whittier, CA 90603
AAUW MISSION STATEMENT – To advance equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
https://whittier-ca.aauw.net/ https://www.whittierlibrary.org/
DIVERSITY DATELINE
Holiday or Observance Religious Group Date
Purim Jewish March 13 (evening)-March 30 (evening)
Holi Hindu March 14 (evening)-March 15 (evening)
Nowruz (Persian New Year) Persian March 20
Laylat al Qadr Muslim March 26-March 27
Eid-al-Fitr Muslim March 29 (evening -March 30 or March 31
Purim Purim commemorates the saving of Persian Jews described in the biblical book of Esther in the fourth century B.C.E.
Holi Holi is a Hindu holiday that celebrates spring, love and new life. On the day of Holi entire streets and towns are filled with people who throw colored powder in the air.
Nowruz Nowruz is the Iranian or Persian New Year. Today it is celebrated by many ethnicities worldwide. It marks the first day of the new year on the Solar Hijri calendar.
Laylat al Qadr, known as the Night of Power, Night of Destiny, Night of Determination, or the Precious Night. Is, in Islamic belief, the night when Muslims believe the Quran was first sent down from heaven to the world and also, the night when its first verses were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Eid-al-Fitar marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
Holiday/Observance Date
Women’s History Month March 1 – 31st
International Women’s Day March 8
St Patrick’s Day March 17
World Poetry Day March 21
Trans Day of Visibility March 31
First day of Spring March 20
Daylight savings starts March 9
Mardi Gras Carnival March 4