Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

 

Junior League of the Palm Beaches has committed to The Association of Junior Leagues International’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative. During the summer of 2018, The Board of Directors implemented the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force which made efforts to ensure that JLPB is fully devoted to emphasizing and commending the diverse group of women who make up their league and the community we serve.

Led by past JLPB Presidents Shelly Albright and Marcelle Burke, the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force of ten diverse league members began their initiative by adding a diversity and inclusion commitment statement to the JLPB mission statement which reads, “The Junior League welcomes all women who value our mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities.” Click here to meet the members who formed our league’s task force and find out what Diversity and Inclusion meant to each of them.

In the 2021-2022 league year, Diversity and Inclusion became a formal committee and in the 2022-2023 league year, its name was changed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. From task force to committee, JLPB has sought opportunities to broaden its members’ appreciation of diverse groups and created ​​opportunities to collaborate with similar organizations so they can learn from one another. Examples include:

“Harvest of Diversity” potluck
Education and Training session with Herizon (formerly known as the Jewish Women’s Foundation) on workplace sexual harassment
Cultural competency training with Compass
Participated in the Palm Beach Pride Parade
Brunch with Best Buddies International
Arranged an intimate conversation exploring Islamic religious beliefs and practices during Ramadan at a local mosque
Participated in an African American Bus tour in our local community
Partnered with other minority and women led organizations to bring awareness to legislation and public policy impacting women and girls

A champion of our diversity efforts, Marcelle Burke became JLPB’s first Black president. She, along with other members of JLPB, were interviewed by WPTV, highlighting the significance of the moment and the intention of being more diverse.

JLPB continues to focus on promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through our recruitment efforts, league programming and operations, and communications efforts.