From the Desk of Diversity
Northwestern's Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter
Autumn 2015 & 2nd Anniversary Issue
- Suicide Prevention
- Words to Live By
- Did You Know?
- Nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion
- Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
- Links to Explore
- Days to Remember
- Topics in Diversity: Voting
- Community Engagement
- Past Events
- Get Involved
- Learning & Training Opportunities
- Apply for a Scholarship
Suicide Prevention
Suicide has impacted my life since my early childhood. I remember the effect that the suicide of my mother's cousin had on my family. I have lost friends to suicide; I have seen the families of my friends suffer greatly from the loss of loved ones. Suicide always leaves me wondering if I missed a red flag. Always.
This year our NWHSU Student Senate teamed up with the University Counseling Office to create a team of walkers and fundraisers for the Out of the Darkness Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We agreed that health initiatives must include emotional wellness. We had more than 20 walkers and raised more than $2000. Suicide prevention is a privilege.
We can each take a role of responsibility in preventing suicide where we are able. We included an app for download that can be added to your smart phone. Please program the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline into your phone, (800) 273-8255.
Submitted by Beau Foshee, wfoshee@nwhealth.edu
Words to Live By
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt of disrespect for other cultures." - Cesar Chavez 1927-1993, Founder of the National Farm Workers Association
Did You Know?
Nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion
Please take five minutes to nominate your Champion. Thank you.
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
If you see something, say something.
Please email Sara Cooper, scooper@nwhealth.edu, to nominate someone and make their day.
Days to Remember
Here are some holidays starting during summer 2015 break and running through November. Check out the Office of Diversity & Inclusion's Cultural Calendar for more information on upcoming holidays or holidays not published here.
August
- Children's Eye Health & Safety Month
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- August 26th - Women's Equality Day
September
- September 15th-October 15th - Hispanic Heritage Month
- Baby Safety Month
- September 10th - World Suicide Prevention Day
- September 14th-16th - Rosh Hashanah
- September 22nd-23rd - Yom Kippur
- September 23rd-24th - Eid al-Adha
- September 16th - Nat'l Trail of Tears Commemoration Day
- September 21st - World Alzheimer's Day
- September 22nd - National Voter Registration Day
- September 27th - National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- September 30th - National Women's Health & Fitness Day
October
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- September 15th-October 15th - Hispanic Heritage Month
- October 12th - Indigenous People's Day
- October 12th - Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
- October 13th - Ada Lovelace Day
- October 13th-14th - Islamic New Year
- October 16th - World Food Day
- October 24th - United Nations Day
- October 31st - Halloween / Samhain
November
- Native American Heritage Month
- National Epilepsy Month
- National Adoption Awareness Month
- November 1st - Día de los Muertos
- November 11th - Diwali / Deepvali and Veteran's Day
- November 25th - Orange Your Neighborhood
- November 26th - Thanksgiving Day (United States)
Topics in Diversity: Voting
Women's Equality Day was on August 26, 2015. I want to bring this to your attention because this was the 95th anniversary of ratifying 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution after 72 years of organizing and campaigning for this right. Please see the National Women's History Project for more information on this historical event.
According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, this landmark right was only granted to white women and not to all women because of established legal and literacy barriers to voting. Although African American men were granted the right to vote in 1870 by the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it took 95 years later in 1965, for President Lyndon B. Johnson to a federal Voting Rights Act to make sure that no more barriers would get in the way.
There has been a lot of press about voters' rights and requiring identification to cast a vote. Some of this discussion has been present in Alabama and laws have been enacted in several other states. Many of these laws prevent communities of color, women, and and other protected classes from voting. The Voting Rights Amendment Act is in discussion now and has bipartisan support. As you are likely aware, voting is an important right in the United States because it allows our citizens to freely voice their opinion and elect officials that will represent their interests fairly and equitably.
You may be asking what this discussion has to do with health care, education, and diversity. Here is the connection.
Political representation for our professional fields allows us to practice healing and teaching, as well as provide for our patients and students. Having more resources dedicated to these important community services allows us to create healthier and happier world. The work that the Center for Health Care Innovation and Policy is doing is one example of how we make sure our voice is heard. Preventing people access to voting, and particularly based on access to resources to acquire tools to vote, will ultimately hurt our professional fields as well as our patients and students.
The voting laws may be important - but if the laws serve to keep out a group from exercising their right, then the laws need some reworking. Keep these ideas in mind as this discussion continues in our communities, particularly as we come up on an election year.
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Community Engagement
Northwestern's Women's Leadership group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 12-1 in the Holtz Boardroom. Please feel welcome to bring your lunch and be ready to discuss. RSVP to Alejandra Dashe (adashe@nwhealth.edu) or Michele Maiers (mmaiers@nwhealth.edu).
Interested in forming a leadership group? The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is happy to assist. Start organizing your group today - contact Alejandra Dashe (adashe@nwhealth.edu) for assistance.
Northwestern will honor World Food Day on Wednesday, October 14th with a fundraising potluck and food drive. Please see us in the Foyer at noon today for delicious treats and delicacies - bring $2.00 to donate and/or a non-perishable food to support VEAP!
YWCA It's Time To Talk: Forum on Race is held on November 4th, 2015, 11:30-1:30 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is sponsoring a table. Please see Dr. Dashe at adashe@nwhealth.edu if you are interested in representing Northwestern at this important event on race.
Orange Your Neighborhood is a campaign from UNWomen raising awareness about ending violence against women. Northwestern is participating in this event on November 25th and continuing on for the this 16 day campaign. Look for more information coming soon.
The “We Are Hmong Minnesota” Exhibit will be at the Minnesota History Center from March 7-November 29, 2015. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Minnesota.
Minnesota Multicultural Student Leadership Conference will be held November 14th, 2015 from 9:00am - 5:00pm at the Coffman Memorial Union on the East Bank Campus of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Early-Bird Registration August 1st - September 21st at $35.00 per person. After, registration will go up to $50.00 per person. Attendance is limited to 200 participants. Please see Dr. Dashe at adashe@nwhealth.edu if you are interested in presenting, attending, and/or volunteering.
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is looking for health care shadowing opportunities with professionals who work with populations that have documented health care disparities.
For all outreach events, please share your interest and opportunities with diversity@nwhealth.edu.
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Past Events
Chronic Pain Matters Conference
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Get Involved with Diversity & Inclusion
- Take training! See "Learning and Training Opportunities" below. Most trainings are free or low cost and can get you CEUs.
- Take the Dignity & Respect pledge.
- Join one of our cultural clubs.
- Want to write for From the Desk of Diversity? Book Club book suggestion? Engaging diversity activity idea? Contact Dr. Dashe, Beau Foshee, or Celia Peters.
Learning & Training Opportunities
- 200+ Super Free Online Public Health Courses & Training + Certificates MPH Programs List
- Think Cultural Health: Promotores de Salud; Office of Minority Health, Department of Health & Human Services
- A Physician's Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Care
- Health Resources and Services Administration: Effective Communication Tools for Healthcare Professionals 100
- Immigrant and Refugee Health Online Course by the U of M Medical School Department of Global Health (and other opportunities)
- YWCA of Minneapolis Racial Justice Workshops & Events
- Rainbow Health Initiative Trainings & Presentations
- Minnesota AIDS Project
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Email: diversity@nwhealth.edu
Website: http://nwhealth.edu/diversity/
Location: Northwestern Health Sciences, West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN, United States
Phone: 952-888-4777 235
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwestern-Diversity-Inclusion/678001138890536
Twitter: @NWHSU_Diversity
Senior Editor
Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor, College of Undergraduate Health Sciences
Email: adashe@nwhealth.edu
Website: http://www.nwhealth.edu/undergraduate-studies/faculty-directory/estrindashealejandra/
Editor
Student, College of Chiropractic
Diversity Scholar
Email: cpeters@nwhealth.edu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/celia-peters/9b/b28/b74
Assistant Editor
Student, College of Chiropractic
Diversity Leadership Scholar
Student Senate President
Email: wfoshee@nwhealth.edu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/beau-foshee/a/58b/493