Artemis Magazine February 2011
diversity day creates community of understanding Each year, Archer sponsors an all day on-campus conference devoted to diversity for students and faculty. This winter, the fourth annual Diversity Day program reiterated support for the School’s mission which seeks to foster critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, “strengthen girls’ voices in a diverse and culturally rich environment” and “help girls become life-long learners, strengthening their capacity to contribute positively to their communities.” In alignment with our everyday curriculum and school culture, the Diversity
Day program encourages a notion of global citizenship and community, as well as raises social consciousness and cultural competency in our student body and extended community. The day’s programming was developed by Dean of Students Samantha Coyne Donnel in conjunction with the Student and Faculty Diversity Committee and parent volunteers. The program is also supported by a challenge grant from The Margaret Hall Foundation, which is committed to funding innovative programming in secondary education, and generous parent donors who assisted with matching funds. A sampling of workshops presented during Diversity Day Diversity Day 2011 Sessions Included: included “Beyond
Gang Life” presented by former gang members and current employees of Los Angelesbased Homeboy Industries, the student-facilitated “No H8” (a discussion on issues facing the gay community) and “Sometimes I Cry” featuring a performance by Sheryl Lee Ralph (Coco Maurice ’12) of her critically acclaimed onewoman show about women coping with HIV and AIDS. The day closed with students and faculty sharing their personal reflections on the meaning of diversity in the Archer community as well as the significance of a continued dialogue about issues of equity and inclusion in our society.
A Conversation about Racial Identity Sometimes I Cry: The Struggle of Coping With HIV and AIDS The Cycle of Oppression: What it is and How it Relates to You Real Stories: Faces of the Gay Community Have You Seen Her? Homeless Women in Santa Monica Korean and Japanese Pop Culture Surviving the Holocaust Breaking Down Microagression: How Subtle Interactions Can Create a Climate of Hostility, Fear, and Confusion Growing Up in Foster Care Body Acceptance Kids + Money Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up Best Buddies and Intellectual Disabilities The Importance of a Global Female Education
