Girlfriends Learn Together about Bias

In our last in-person gathering before the current COVID-19 shutdown, nearly 50 members came together at Eliot Center in early March to learn more about implicit bias, how it impacts our actions and decisions, and what to do about it. Heidi Yorkshire shared, “What a great day. Fantastic and mind opening!” Barbara and Marina, of Diamond Law Training, wrapped up their third year of working with us on this important topic saying, "We love working with ninety-nine girlfriends. Participants are deep thinkers and participate with their whole selves." (Barbara) and “Part of what makes working with ninety-nine girlfriends so exciting is that I know each participant is committed to continuing their anti-bias work beyond our training's end. I always look forward to hearing what members plan to do next." (Marina)

The workshop was rich with the opportunity to connect with other members and to share lived experiences while learning together. The disability module included the documentary film, Zoom In, which features people with mental and physical disabilities who explore disability identity as celebratory rather than stigmatized. 

Although we have not yet received the complete report, here is one impressive response to the training from the workshop survey: 95% will make changes based on what they learned during the training to reduce bias in their personal life, community work, or job.

If you missed out on this offering–brought to you by your Member Education Committee and member sponsors Holly Smithwick, Deborah Edward, Angela Patrick, and Tammy Wilhoite–you can find some of the resources we used here on our website.

“Everybody is sitting around saying, ‘Well, jeez, we need somebody to solve this problem of bias.’ That somebody is us. We all have to try to figure out a better way to get along.”  — Wilma Mankiller