Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Dispatch
February 9, 2025
If you have announcements to pass onto the DEI Committee, please email it to dei@lwvtucson.com. The next issue of the DEI Dispatch will be February 23, 2025.
LWVGT DEI Policy - adopted November 11, 2021
League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson (LWVGT) is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. LWVGT aims to build a participant base that is representative of all dimensions that make each individual unique. Our aim is to be inclusive, affirming, and welcoming of all identities. We intend to ensure that each individual has access to the same opportunities to grow, contribute, and develop within the organization. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization's current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.
|  | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2025
As we begin a new year it is time to reflect on how DEI will be a part of LWVGT. What will be the focus? It is a time for dialog and planning.
What will be the format? Do we wish to have in person gatherings like we hosted in November? Would we like to add movie discussions to our activities? (see below) What are your thoughts and suggestions?
We will discuss all thoughts at the February 12 DEI meeting. At that time LWVGT President and President-Elect will be with us to share the Vision from LWV. | DEI Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 12
6 PM
Zoom
Discussion
The Future of LWVGT DEI
Emily Bridson, President
and
Betsy Boggia, President-Elect
What will be the focus of LWVGT DEI in the coming year? Following a very busy election year LWV is pondering its vision for the coming two to four years. LWVGT President, Emily Bridson, and President-Elect, Betsy Boggia will attend the DEI meeting where we can have a dialog about the goals for DEI's future. Please bring your questions and suggestions. | Agenda
Welcome to new and returning members of the Committee.
DEI Meeting Opening Guidelines for Decorum: Welcome to a gathering of League members who are pursuing the League’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in principle and practice. Our process for respectful discussion is by asking questions and actively listening with kindness, sensitivity, and openness. We acknowledge that we are each learning and searching.
Announcements and Updates
- DEI Outreach – Nancy Norton
- DEI Book Discussions – Kathy Aros
- DEI Tours – Pam Burris
- National Day of Racial Healing – Victor Bowleg
Overview - “Me and White Supremacy” – Sandy Davenport, Kathy Lynd, and Pam Burris
Discussion – The Future of LWVGT DEI with President, Emily Bridson and President-Elect Betsy Boggia.
Announcements |  |
DEI Book Discussion Group
Special Session
The Message
by
Ta-Nehisi Coates
At the February 6 gathering of the DEI Book Discussion group it was suggested that we hold a deeper discussion of the first three sections of The Message. Thus this special announcement. All are invited to participate. See below "Food for Thought" for the February 13 discussion.
6 PM
Thursday, February 13
Section I
Journalism Is Not a Luxury - pages 1-20
Thursday, February 20
Section II
On Pharaohs - pages 21-61
Thursday, February 27
Section III
Bearing the Flaming Cross - pages 64-111
Food for Thought - Section I
- What caught your interest and made you ponder?
- After reading the section what reflection do you have regarding the James Baldwin opening quote?
- What words "haunt" you or do you chew on?
- When you were quite young did you have a profound drive, talent, stories, or some other characteristic that you continue to use in your adult life?
- What other questions would you like to discuss about this first section?
*********************
DEI Book Discussion Group
Thursday, April 3
6 PM
The DEI Book Discussion Group will meet Thursday, April 3 - Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America by Martin Duberman
Future Book titles:
- Thursday, June 5 - Facing the Mountain: An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II by Daniel James Brown
This group meets on the first Thursday of even-numbered months. There is a discussion host for each meeting who will provide discussion questions. For more information email dei@lwvtucson.com
|  | A BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT | LWVGT DEI
UA Art Museum and Conversation
1031 N Olive Road, Tucson
Saturday, February 15
1 - 2 PM
Before or after the one-hour talk, visit the Art Museum to view Hank Willis Thomas’ show. Thomas’ work is influenced by social history and the hard-fought, perennial battle for equality in all areas of his work. Admission $8; seniors $6.
We will meet at 12:45 inside the auditorium.
| | The DEI Outreach Committee
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
1:30 PM
Zoom
|  | Would you like to discuss a movie you viewed that has a DEI theme? If the answer is "yes", do you have suggestions as to how you would like to have this discussion. Please share at dei@lwvtucson.com
One suggestion is to have a DEI Movie Discussion group on the first Thursday of the odd months to compliment the DEI Book group the meets on the first Thursdays of the even months at 6 PM.
Here are a few movies members have viewed in the past month:
The Six Triple Eight - The US Army's only predominantly Black, all-women battalion serving oversees in WWII must do the impossible in the stirring drama based on true events. 2024 2h 9m - Available on Netflix, Prime
Free State of Jones - A Mississippi farmer-turned-outlaw leads a ragtag ban of fellow Civil war deserters and enslaved people in a rebellion against the Confederacy. Based on true events. 2016 2h 19m - Available on Netflix
The Old Oak - When a group of Syrian refugees move into a once thriving mining town in Northern England prejudice fuels a rift between the community and its newest inhabitants. 2024 1h 52m - Available on Prime, Kanopy
One Life - Nicholas Winton is a young London stockbroker who leading up to the beginning of WWII rescued over 600 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Based on a true story. 2023 1h 49m - Available on Kanopy
|  | 2025 National Day of Racial Healing
A Big
Thank You
to the Committee who planned this great event! |
The Tumamoc Author Series
will feature Michelle Tellez and her book
"Border Women"
Tuesday, February 11
6 PM
Tumamoc Hill Boathouse
1675 W Anklam Road, Tucson
For details and to RSVP
Tumamoc Author Series
| Support local food banks. Join Interfaith Community Services to eat soup, bread and desserts from local restaurants as part of a fundraiser for local food banks. At the event, participants will select a handcrafted pottery bowl, created and donated by a local artist, to use during the event and take home. Tickets are $40. The event takes place on Saturday, March 1, at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center at 1288 W. River Road.
| | You receive this email as a member of the LWVGT DEI Committee. If you no longer wish to receive the DEI Dispatch email dei@lwvtucson.com | |