Equal Justice in Needham for Families

10/06/2023

On Wednesday, October 11, at 11am, the Joint Committee on Education (Massachusetts Legislature) will be holding a hybrid hearing on Curriculum and Instruction, that will include 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗛.𝟱𝟰𝟮/𝗦.𝟮𝟴𝟴 - 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀.

Why This Bill Matters:

"In a multicultural and multiethnic society, it is vital that students receive an education that includes accurate histories, stories, and perspectives of all people. Our democracy would benefit if future generations gain a comprehensive and accurate education that includes the teaching of writings, contributions, and cultural heritage of historically marginalized groups.

Students will learn to understand the experiences of others, see their own identities and experiences reflected, treat others with empathy and respect, and build stronger connections. Additionally, an accurate teaching of our nation’s history will bolster Massachusetts' efforts to attract and retain educators from underrepresented backgrounds. Future generations will be more equipped with the skills and understanding needed to be productive in the workplace and to participate as residents in our culturally rich Commonwealth and as global citizens."

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.
Submit your testimony here:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/testimony-in-support-of-racially-inclusive-curriculum-in-schools

09/27/2023

To the fellow gardeners of Needham wishing to support economic justice,

Here is an opportunity to partake in a plant sale that is going on until October 18th. You can plant some bulbs and support a reparations campaign for Ms. Robbie, a 76-year-old Black woman, to own her first home debt-free. Check out the link to peruse the wide selection of flowers and plants to get the bulbs in before it snows. You can also read about Ms. Robbie, who you'll be supporting with your purchase.

https://store.giveandgarden.com/pages/fundraiser/catriceology--homes-for-black-women-fall-2023-garden-fundraiser--help-a-black-woman-put-down-roots

08/05/2023

When houses of worship practice what they preach:
Love, unity, and treating everyone with dignity and respect

August 5th is for
Diversity of Families 🏳️‍🌈 Diversity of Love

[Yard signs at the Congregational Church of Needham (MA), UCC]

08/01/2023

𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟱𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥
𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 🏳️‍🌈 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘

Every family, including LGBTQ families, should be able to see themselves in the pages of the books they read. In support of diversity of families and diversity of love, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟱𝘁𝗵 🏳️‍🌈 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 and pick up books that 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀! Books that speak to the foundation of a family, including LGBTQ families: love, respect, dignity, unity. Books that foster safe communities for all and public libraries that represent everyone and all families.

Want to 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆? Here are links to book lists that create mirrors – for readers of all ages to see reflections of themselves in the pages of these books; and windows into the love on which families, including LGBTQ families, are built.

🏳️‍🌈 Rainbow Book List Committee of the American Library Association
https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/

🏳️‍🌈 Greater Boston PFLAG
https://www.gbpflag.org/resources

🏳️‍🌈 The National Student Council of GLSEN
https://www.glsen.org/activity/national-student-council-book-recommendations

🏳️‍🌈
Standing in solidarity:
Needham Human Rights Committee 🏳️‍🌈 Needham Diversity Initiative 🏳️‍🌈 Equal Justice in Needham for Families

06/17/2023

As part of Juneteenth celebrations at The Robbins House, we have a StoryWalk of The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson outside the museum from June 16-26th. Thank you to First Connections in Acton for loaning the material. Come visit and read a powerful story of racial equality.

02/12/2023

~ SUPPORT A NEEDHAM STUDENT'S RESEARCH BY PARTICIPATING IN A STUDY ~
Ray Winig is a Board Member of the Needham Diversity Initiative and a Junior at Needham High School in the AP Capstone program. They are conducting a yearlong original research project, studying Needham residents’ personal safety and risk perceptions.

Please complete the survey at the link below. It will take 10-15 minutes to fill out and the deadline is March 1st (but consider doing it ASAP). If you have any questions about participating, the contact information for Ray and the AP Capstone teacher is on the cover page of the survey. Thank you for your help in this endeavor!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2E1YZFmNWMSvfINVPBD0jQrJCmwynHWbvxeqj3ijeF6EYQw/viewform

02/12/2023

This will be an amazing event this coming Saturday(2/18) at the MFA. Come out an experience wonderful music and storytelling in great community while supporting Race Amity. Learn more here: https://raceamity.org

The National Center for Race Amity (NCRA) develops forums and initiatives to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural amity that impact the public discourse on race.

Don't miss the American premiere of "Sing Sistah Sing! Tales of Transatlantic Freedom" at the MFA on Feb 18. Be prepared to connect with powerful emotions and leave the theater with a sense of transformation and empowerment. Andrea Baker is a Boston native and internationally renowned opera diva. bit.ly/Andrea-Baker for tickets. Students and faculty use discount code SING!2023

02/07/2023

Just sharing!

Are you wondering how to make change in your life and community, but feel overwhelmed by the state of the world? Join us at this free, online workshop to get practical tips on how to pivot your life and your community activities towards justice, inclusion, and kindness.

01/24/2023

Hello everyone! You are invited to join EJNF on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 10am for a discussion on The Anatomy of Calling In: A Beginners Guide to Hard Conversations.

This is an in-person event located in Needham and open to everyone in town and the surrounding areas. Exact location will be provided just prior to the event.

Read more and sign up here -

This workshop offered by Equal Justice in Needham for Families explores "calling in" an approach difficult conversations . In this free workshop, we'll delve into calling in vs calling out and discuss concrete strategies to get started.

11/20/2022

We mourn the lives lost, injured, and traumatized in the appalling and senseless attack against the transgender community in Colorado Springs.

EJN for Families reaffirms its support for non-binary, gender expansive and transgender people; and stands in unwavering solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families while we recommit ourselves to fighting bigotry, homophobia, and anti-trans violence.

10/21/2022

This video is filled with kindness, thoughtfulness and the importance of pronouncing someone’s name correctly. Thank Michelle O'Hearn Chalmers for posting it on your FB page. Please come to our Storytime , Oct 30 , 3:00!-at the Needham library. The story will be read by Martha Winokur and the name of the book is:
Your Name is a Song.