There are several important ways we celebrate or embrace diversity – Jewish holidays, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, protection of gender preferences and differences. Marilyn emphasized that improvements have occurred but we’ve much to overcome .... slavery itself being the worst of aggressions against people, including their forced journey to the Western Hemisphere and subsequent bondage for 100s of years.  Certainly, America prior to its Declaration of Independence in 1776, carried out atrocities, efforts to annihilate Indians, continued discriminations against Jews, and placing Asians in internment camps in the 1930s.  Rotary stands as an international beacon promoting peace and understanding that now inspires all Clubs, including AWER, to place high value on creating an inclusive Club culture that values and attracts others to our membership.  Marilyn circulated an RI publication supported by District 6900 entitled: Rotary District 6900 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recommendations, which provides guidance on discussions about improving our outreach to and being welcoming of all people – and finding ways to engage with people who are outside each other’s current value systems. With its inclusion of women as members some 35 years, RI created a major change that has resulted in much healthier and more powerful voice for justice and fairness among Clubs throughout the world – though Marilyn hastily added, there are still some Clubs that do not have nor reach out to women to become members.  Individually and organizationally, all are in various stages of improving.  With hard work, openness to change, and guided by RI’s Four Way Test, we will make many important strides forward ... Marilyn emphasizing that none of this can happen too soon.

 True to form, members entered into a meaningful discussion concerning racism both from historical and present day perspectives, and how conversation is crucial to eradicate it. #ServiceAboveSelf #EradicateRacism #DEI