DEI – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The DEI Team in February – Restrictions Apply Discussion
February 12, 7:00 pm via Zoom

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells, journalist

As we honor Black History Month this February, I invite you all to join me on Zoom, Wednesday, February 12, from 7:00-8:00 pm, for a discussion about Restrictions Apply, a 2021 documentary that explores the issues of covenants, conditions, and restrictions in California home title deeds. The film follows San Luis Obispo resident Jaime Lewis as she discovers racist language in the title deed for her home, then decides to reach out to her neighbors and share the information. When the community learns that the problem is systemic, they act together to remove the language from their home deeds, demonstrating how white activists can address issues in their own communities that are rooted in centuries of racism in America.

I encourage you to watch Restrictions Apply (18 minutes in length) prior to our meeting. Please click here to access the film, and let me know (ogstrogatz@gmail.com) if you’ll be joining us on Feb 12. I gratefully acknowledge AAUW California DEI Director, Dr. Lata Murti, for bringing the documentary to my attention.

And another excellent Black History Month (BHM) resource to share, thanks to AAUW California President Charmen Goehring – take the BHM Challenge (at the right) with 28 days and 28 ways to celebrate.

I’ll close by offering a head start on the list: please click here for an indescribably beautiful performance of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”; it’s bound to give you a lift!

By Ogie Strogatz, DEI Officer

The DEI Team in 2025

Hello everyone! Guided by our AAUW California DEI Director, Dr. Lata Murti, the 2024-2027 AAUW CA DEI Strategic Plan sets forth the following vision: “to build an empathetic, supportive, and inclusive environment for the present and sustainable future of AAUW California and its branches”. The mission statement to realize that vision is: “to increase the growth, diversity, and relevance of branch membership, activities, outreach, and collaboration with others”.

The plan commits to working toward the vision and mission by:

  • increasing accessibility for all to participate, as well as strengthening the connection between programs and AAUW’s national mission (“to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy”); and by
  • increasing knowledge and awareness of DEI practices, allowing members and branches to create welcoming spaces of belonging for all.

The plan goes on to specify goals, strategies, and tactics to act on these commitments. Now that the electoral cycle has come to a close, I look forward to engaging with you all at our January 8 meeting to discuss the DEI Strategic Plan, and how we can bring it to life most effectively in our branch.

In the interim, I invite you to:

  • Mark your calendars, to attend the January monthly DAW member meeting on Tuesday, January 21, at 9:30 am at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. We’ll learn about California’s Perinatal Equity Initiative to address racial disparities in infant mortality.
  • View “The IntraCultural Podcast – Episode 1: Monsters Have Fangs”, a highly worthwhile, 40-minute video about having difficult conversations across political differences. The video is a conversation between two smart, compassionate professors: Dr. Melissa Maceyko, one of our AAUW CA Public Policy Directors, and her colleague, Dr. Lucy Arciniega. Their insights are bound to prove helpful in navigating the holidays and beyond. Now maybe you’re wondering, what’s with the title, “Monsters Have Fangs”? I assure you it’s perfectly relevant, but I won’t say more — check it out!

With warmest wishes for a healthy, peaceful holiday season and new year –
Ogie Strogatz, DEI Officer

Refer to Past Branch DEI Meetings and DEI Information:

To read notes from past branch DEI meetings – click here

To see presentation slides defining the branch DEI committee’s purpose and providing strategies for handling “microaggression” – click here

To read the Open Letter from AAUW Supporting Trans Women and Girls – click here 

Our Branch DEI goals for 2023-24:
        by Teresa Cheung, Past Branch DEI Officer

  • Support the DAW branch to advance learning and expand commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).  There is an emphasis on increasing DEI awareness, engagement, and branch participation in DEI efforts, with particular attention to connecting and collaborating with organizations that promote and embody DEI.
    For AAUW’s “Diversity Statement”, click here.
  • Share promising and innovative practices related to DEI.
  • Become familiar with National AAUW resources. For AAUW’s DEI toolkit, click here.
  • Identify and engage like-minded organizations for potential collaborative opportunities. 
  • Provide resources to Board and assist board and committees in the development and implementation of DEI goals with strategies and materials to accomplish efforts. 

If you wish to participate and have DEI ideas to share, please contact Ogie Strogatz, DEI Leader, at ogstrogatz@gmail.com.

From the AAUW California DEI Committee:

DEI Statewide Chat – View our statewide chat held in October, 2022, that explores AAUW’s efforts around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The webinar features an intimate conversation with national leaders at the time – Julia Brown, AAUW Board of Directors Chair, and Melissa LaDuke, AAUW DEI Chair.

Learn about the DEI issues our organization faces and National’s efforts to address them. Leave with what we can do individually and collectively to strengthen our understanding and commitment to this work. Click here to see the video.

“The Kindness of Color” – For a DEI inspiration, check out the new “Kindness of Color” program from AAUW CA. Two families: one Japanese American and one Mexican American. Two true stories of their separate battles with racism, incarceration, and school segregation in the WWII era. Unexpectedly, their lives intersect, paving the way for a landmark court decision in California. Join author and descendant Janice Munemitsu for the intimate story of how the kindness of friends and strangers provided hope and strength to persevere against unjust treatment. To view the recorded webinar click HERE.