Participation in Society

Part 1: DEI

What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It's a framework and philosophy that organizations use to promote fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly those historically underrepresented or discriminated against.

Diversity: Recognizing and valuing differences in characteristics like race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, culture, class, veteran status, or religion.

Equity: Ensuring fairness in treatment, access to opportunities, information, and resources, and addressing systemic barriers that prevent some individuals from thriving.

Inclusion: Creating a culture of belonging where everyone feels welcome, respected, and encouraged to participate fully.

Why do we need DEI?

DEI has been a popular buzzword and has gained a negative reputation. In reality, DEI is a philosophy that has been developed into a system to provide fair treatment, typically in education and in the workforce, for all people. It was created so that groups such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ people are accurately treated and represented, as they are marginalized groups that have faced discrimination and underrepresentation.

An example of a DEI practice would be if a company requires 50% of the working staff to be female or holds 3 spots of staff positions specifically for members of the black community. This allows for these people, who are typically discriminated against, to have opportunities for success in society.

How DEI Initiatives Benefit Women, accoring to the League Of Women Voters:

Expanding Opportunities: DEI initiatives can open doors for women in education and employment by promoting fair admissions and hiring practices.

Creating Supportive Environments: Mentorship programs, leadership training, and employee resource groups (ERGs) can provide women with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Promoting Equity: DEI efforts aim to address systemic biases that can hinder women's advancement, such as gender pay gaps and underrepresentation in leadership roles.

Enhancing Workplace Safety: Anti-harassment programs and anti-discrimination policies, often part of DEI initiatives, are essential for creating safer and more respectful workplaces for women.

Supporting Work-Life Balance: Promoting benefits like pregnancy and parental leave can help women balance their careers and family responsibilities.

Additionally... Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are designed to support and empower women in workplaces and communities.

Pay Equity Audits: Companies conduct regular audits to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, addressing gender wage gaps.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering remote work, parental leave, and flexible hours helps women balance careers and caregiving responsibilities.
Leadership Development Programs: Organizations create mentorship and sponsorship programs to help women advance into leadership roles.
Unbiased Hiring Practices: Implementing blind recruitment and structured interviews reduces bias in hiring and promotions.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Women-focused ERGs provide networking, support, and advocacy within workplaces.
Inclusive Healthcare Benefits: Companies offer comprehensive reproductive healthcare, mental health support, and maternity benefits to ensure women’s well-being.
Anti-Harassment and Bias Training: Regular workplace training helps prevent discrimination and fosters a safer, more inclusive environment.
STEM and Career Advancement Initiatives: Programs encourage women to enter male-dominated fields like tech, engineering, and finance through scholarships and mentorship.

These initiatives help create equitable opportunities and support systems for women in professional and personal spaces

Activity:

Ask your class to split into groups of 3-5, depending on your class size. Each group should create a vision of a business and then design a DEI policy for their business. This DEI policy should have elements of providing fair treatment for all people and employees, but all of the other specific details are up to the group.

After all groups are done, have each group show their business and DEI policy to the class and explain why each aspect of their policy was chosen.

Offer this article called "DEI: WHAT IT IS & HOW TO CHAMPION IT IN THE WORKPLACE" by Michael Boyles at Harvard Business School Online. It will be a big help for the students designing their DEI policy.

Link: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-is-dei

During this process, the students should work to comprehend the importance of DEI, especially to marginalized and oppressed communities, such as women.

Example:

Business Name: Luminous Beauty

Tagline: "Glow Beyond Limits"

About the Business: Luminous Beauty is an inclusive and innovative makeup brand dedicated to celebrating all skin tones, identities, and beauty expressions. Our products are designed with high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients to ensure that makeup lovers—from beginners to professionals—have access to skin-friendly, diverse shades and formulations that empower confidence.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy

Inclusive Product Range: We develop makeup that embraces all skin tones, textures, and gender identities, ensuring everyone feels seen and celebrated.
Equitable Hiring & Workplace Culture: We foster a workplace where women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of all racial backgrounds have equal opportunities for leadership and growth.
Zero Tolerance for Discrimination: We uphold safe, respectful, and bias-free policies within our brand and in customer interactions.
Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing: Our products are cruelty-free, sustainably packaged, and ethically sourced, ensuring responsible beauty practices that care for people and the planet.
Inclusive Recruitment: We actively seek talent from historically underrepresented groups, partnering with women-owned businesses, BIPOC networks, and LGBTQ+ organizations to expand hiring outreach.
Workplace Accessibility: Luminous Beauty ensures that all employees, including those with disabilities, neurodivergence, or caregiving responsibilities, have access to flexible work arrangements, supportive accommodations, and wellness benefits.

Part 2: Voting

The second lesson under Participating in Society is about how to vote. Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility that all American citizens have. Voting shapes the society and government that we all live under and changes the basic way we live our daily lives. Voting influences policies and laws, protects our democracy, empowers marginalized communities, shapes local and national decisions, as well as honors the sacrifice of many oppressed peoples who had to fight for the right to vote.

The lessons that are taught in this course are all impacted by voters. Who is voted into office, local or federal, changes women's rights, for the worse or the better. Women must be educated on what their rights are, how they can protect them by voting, and who to vote for. These items will all be covered in this final lesson.

This right must be utilized to protect the future of women's health. Whatever political spectrum you fall under, and despite your political beliefs, everyone must know how to vote.

Please go over with your class how, when, and where to vote.

The basic steps are:

Register to vote. This can be done when you get your driver's license, online, or at your local election office. Additionally, you must be 16 to register to vote, but 18 to be able to vote.
Locating Your Polling Place: Your polling place is the specific location where you are assigned to vote based on your address. You can find your polling place by checking your voter registration information or by contacting your local election office. Use online tools or check with your local election office to confirm your polling place and its hours of operation.
Voting Options: You generally have three options for casting your ballot:

Election Day Voting: Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day.

Early Voting: Some states offer early voting, allowing you to vote in person at designated locations before Election Day.

Absentee Voting (Vote by Mail): If you are unable to vote in person, you can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. You can find more information on Vote.org.

Voting In Person:

Arrive at your polling place: Check the hours of operation and bring any required identification.
Check-in: Provide your name and address to the election workers.
Receive your ballot: You will be given a paper ballot or directed to an electronic voting machine.
Vote: Fill out your ballot according to the instructions provided, or use the electronic voting machine to make your selections.
Submit your ballot: If using a paper ballot, you may need to insert it into a machine or hand it to an election worker.

Voting by Mail:

Request an absentee ballot: Contact your local election office or visit their website to request a ballot.

Receive your ballot: The ballot will be mailed to you with instructions for voting and returning it.

Complete and return your ballot: Follow the instructions carefully and mail your ballot back by the deadline.

Emily's List

Here is a website called "Emily's List," which contains female candidates running for various forms of office.

In different ways, they are supporting the message that this class is trying to educate: Women's health is important and needs to be protected.

Please provide this website as a resource: https://emilyslist.org

Courses complete.

WELL DONE!

Thank you so much for using SafeHarbor to continue to educate women on how to remain powerful and safe.

Citations: League of Women Voters. League of Women Voters, https://www.lwv.org/. Accessed 16 May 2025.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse