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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Newsletter
March 2023
Welcome to the March 2023 issue of the DEI newsletter from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). This newsletter provides a space for connection, and reflection, as well as for sharing DEI information and resources.
In This Edition
Celebrate Social Work Month: Social Work Breaks Barriers
Remembering Judith Heumann (1947 - 2023)
DEI Initiatives
The L.E.A.D. Institute
Upcoming DEI Trainings and Events
Past DEI Trainings and Events
Food for Thought
Resources
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Celebrate Social Work
Month:
Social Work Breaks Barriers
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The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is excited to celebrate Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the profession by honoring the history, dedication, and accomplishments of Social Workers around the country! This year's theme - “Social Work Breaks Barriers” - wants us to reflect and recognize how social workers help empower individuals, families, communities, and society to overcome the hurdles preventing them from thriving! Breaking Barriers is not a one-person job. We know that for us to create a thriving society truly, we must all push back on the systems and structures that keep us from living to our fullest potential So, whether you work in a hospital or school, lead a community center, or evaluate policy in halls of government, your work is important to break barriers for all! Our UMB community is filled with people from all walks of life who share a common goal: a dedication to equality and social justice for all people and communities. In celebration of National Social Work Month, we've shared a few ways to celebrate, educate, and continue to cultivate justice, equity, and inclusion:
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Remembering Judith Heumann
(1947 - 2023)
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On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Judith "Judy" Heumann, a champion for disability rights, passed away at age 75.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947, Heumann contracted polio at 18 months and began using a wheelchair for her mobility. Around the age of five, her local
public school denied her the right to attend due to her disability and considered her a "fire hazard" because she could not walk – a decision her parents fought against. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of Judy and her family's fight to be included in the education system. Yet, Judy did not let this stop her and instead realized that she needed to collaborate with other disabled people to fight against the continuous discrimination they faced. For example, Judy sued the New York Board of Education for discrimination when she was denied her teaching license after being failed on her medical exam. She ended up becoming the first wheelchair user to become a teacher in the state of New York.
Judy also played a role in developing and implementing major legislation that would help people with disabilities nationwide. She helped with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She was also an early supporter of the Independent Living Movement and a founding member of the Berkeley
Center for Independent Living. Along with Ed Roberts and Joan Leon, Judy helped co-founded the World Institute on Disability (WID), one of the first global disability rights organizations founded and led by people with disabilities.
These are just some of Judy's accomplishments. Her work and dedication are echoed in her books and podcasts and from her collaborators and community members who regard her as "The Mother" of the Disability Rights Movement. In fact, it is one of the many reasons we named a JEDI Award after her! While fighting to make the world more equitable, she enjoyed films and traveled the world. She was unapologetic about who she was and showed up as her whole self. To many, Judy changed the world, but she said, "I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it." In honor of Judy's passion and dedication, and considering Social Work Month's theme of Breaking Barriers, may we all continue to "make a fuss" when faced with discrimination and oppression!
To Learn More about Judith Heumann, check out the resources below:
Written by Julia Scott, DEI Coordinator
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J.E.D.I. Awards Ceremony on March 27th!
Date: Monday, March 27, 2023; 1 pm - 2:15 pm
Hybrid Event Information:
In Person: University of Maryland School of Social Work 525 W Redwood St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Auditorium Zoom Link: https://umaryland.zoom.us/j/97324866399?pwd=K0hFRjFFUW1LaUFwSjB3NFBnR3RKZz09
Meeting ID: 973 2486 6399
Passcode: 690525
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Save the Date for Upcoming Events
Our school has some exciting events coming up that we want you to shake sure to Save the Date for these upcoming events:
Lunch and Learn: Fatphobia & Social Work Practice (March 17th: 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm)
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) Training and Resources Subcommittee as we discuss fatphobia as it relates to other systems of oppression, including racism; and ways to create more inclusive environments in Social Work practice and our school community.
Register for the Fatphobia Event Here!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Panel & Training: Supporting Survivors for Equitable Outcomes (April 14th: 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm)
Please join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) for a training and panel discussion on reporting sexual assault at UMB, Title IX, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for survivors. Our panelists will be Stephanie Suerth, UMB’s Title IX Coordinator and Director, and Jatnna Gomez, Directors of Equity and Community Engagement at the SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors.
Register for the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Panel Here!
DEI Pulse Survey Teach-In (April 17th: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm)
Please join us for the DEI Pulse Survey Teach-In presentation. Those who join will have the opportunity to delve into the Pulse Survey responses and some of the current work the SSW is doing to build on our strengths and address our challenges.
Click Here to Attend the DEI Pusle
Teach-In
Interfaith Panel (April 20th: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm) - Registration Link to Come!
Join ODEI as we discuss different religious and/or spiritual beliefs, how they intersect with other facets of identity and oppression, and how we can all become more aware of it in our social work practice and the larger community.
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Affinity Spaces
Spring 2023 Dates
Register for your group of interest below:
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Affinity Group Facilitators Wanted
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion islooking for new Affinity Group Facilitators for Fall 2023. For Fall 2023, we are looking for facilitators for
the following Affinity Groups:- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- Disability Justice & Advocacy Group
- Jewish Affinity Group
- LGBTQ+
- White Accountability Group
Compensation may be available for those who qualify!Interested in facilitating? Please fill out the Affinity Group Facilitation Interest Form!
If you have any questions, please contact DEI Coordinator, Julia Scott at julia.scott@ssw.umaryland.edu
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Support the DEIC
The DEIC (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee) is the School of Social Work's schoolwide committee charged with fostering an atmosphere of equity and inclusiveness.
The DEIC meets once a month on Mondays or Fridays from 12:15 - 1:15 pm. The DEIC meeting schedule for the Spring 2023 semester will be as follows:
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- Monday, February 20th
- Monday, March 27th*
- Monday, April 17th
- Monday, May 15th**
*The 2023 J.E.D.I. Award Ceremony will take place at the beginning of the March DEIC Meeting from 1pm - 2:15pm
** Please note that for our last meeting of each semester, we aim to convene in person
If you are interested in joining a DEIC Subcommittee, you can email deic@ssw.umaryland.edu
If you are interested in attending a DEIC Meeting, you may join the meeting by Clicking Here!
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The L.E.A.D. Institute 2023 -2024
L.E.A.D., which stands for Leading for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Diversity, is a 4 part eConvening training and coaching series through the University of Maryland, School of Social Work. It is focused on cultivating an anti-racist mindset, promoting equity, and dismantling structural racism and oppression.
We will release our 2023-2024 L.E.A.D. Institute schedule during the new school year!
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Upcoming DEI Training Events
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DEI Event Calendar
Click on the links below for event descriptions and/or
registration information!
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Past DEI Trainings and Events
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Past DEI Trainings and Events
JEDI Town Hall: Update on DEI Taskforce Recommendation
On February 28th and March 2nd, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) held a successful JEDI Town Hall on the DEI Taskforce goals and recommendations created in 2019. We reviewed the progress made as well as plans for the next steps.
If you could not attend, please get in touch with Dean Neijma Celestine-Donnor for a copy of the recording at ncelestine-donnor@ssw.umaryland.edu
The L.E.A.D. Institute through CPE
This semester, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) offered The L.E.A.D. Institute through the Office Of Continuing Professional Education, allowing us
to expand the training to social workers in the community. The L.E.A.D. Institute was previously limited to SSW staff and faculty but has now been expanded to everyone, whether social worker or not.
If you work for or know of an organization that may be interested in LEAD, please get in touch with the ODEI Dean Neijma Celestine-Donnor for more information at ncelestine-donnor@ssw.umaryland.edu
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International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st
International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual awareness day celebrated worldwide on March 31st. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender-nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.
To Learn More about the Day, check out the resources below:
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March is Women's History Month
To Learn More about Women's History Month, check out the resources below:
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SSW Climate/Culture Concerns Reporting Form
A form that allows all members of the SSW community to submit their concerns and feedback related to the SSW climate and culture is available. The form, which is overseen by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was a
collaborative effort between key SSW stakeholders. It creates a formal structure and system of collecting data and information that can be used to address school-wide challenges related to diversity, equity, climate and inclusion. This form is not meant to duplicate, but rather to strengthen and complement processes already
in place. The form was also launched as a tool that allows for a more restorative approach in
responding to issues and concerns related to climate and culture at SSW.
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University of Maryland School of Social Work | 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
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