Wisdom, guest column

Wisdom is an invitational column where each month an outstanding woman will share a message that we hope you'll find inspiring, motivational, and empowering.

Diversity is important because we will not be able to reach our goals in life or become successful if we just depend on ourselves. We need one another!

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The Importance of Diversity

Rebecca Mitchell, Ed. D.
Retired Principal, School District of Philadelphia, PA

The United States of America was built by a diverse group of people. We did not arrive here in the same way, we did not arrive at the same time, but we were all headed towards the same destination, which was to create a successful, fulfilling life for ourselves and/or our loved ones. Diversity is important because we will not be able to reach our goals in life or become successful if we just depend on ourselves. We need one another! Edwin Markham, a poet, once wrote these famous words to reflect that thought:

There is a destiny that makes us brothers
None goes this way alone.
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.

Your school, community and Teenshop is a microcosm of the world, with people from many different countries, nationalities, races, cultures, ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexualities, gender identities, as well as abilities and disabilities. Yet, we can not be complete until we learn about one another and value each other for the uniqueness that each one of us brings to the school environment and to our global connections.

Diversity is important, and it is unforgivable not to embrace it. There are people for whom "diversity" is a buzzword for an environment to be avoided. Nevertheless, the concept of diversity cannot and should not be avoided. For to do so, is to be narrow-minded and doomed for loneliness, exclusion, and failure in life. For no matter where you may go - to work, to school, to a community or anywhere in the world, diversity will be there. Therefore, it is important to embrace diversity with an open mind and an open heart. Politicians cannot legislate tolerance or diversity and expect everyone to be happy about it. However, if you truly want to be happy, to mature and to reach your maximum potential in life, you must embrace diversity. Once again, you cannot make it in this world by yourself.

The strength, resilience, and richness of the United States of America are based on the diversity of its citizens. Each of us has our own unique background and talents as well as ancestors who have contributed to the fabric of this world. Your diverse student body, organizations and community contain a wide range of students with individual interests, talents, dedications, values, backgrounds and perspectives. Such diversity fosters intellectual and social growth. It forces students to challenge their assumptions and to learn, and it enhances a student's educational experience.

The governor of Michigan, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, emphasized the importance of diversity in her weekly radio address given on February 16, 2007.

"One of our greatest strengths in the world today comes from our greatest diversity of people and ideas and talents. There is no question, diversity matters. As much as it defines our past, it also defines our future. Survival and success in the global marketplace depends on the ability for individuals and schools, and corporations to work in diverse environments. When we bring together people of different backgrounds and different ways of seeing the world, we spark innovation… and innovation creates huge dividends."

Therefore, my challenge to you today, young adults, is to:

1. Embrace diversity enthusiastically! Gravitate towards those who are different from you in various ways and learn from one another.
2. Increase your awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity that exists in your school, in your community, in your organization and on your job.
3. Encourage and support activities that work to eliminate discrimination and harassment
4. Join or start an organization in school that will publicize the positive contributions of the diverse cultures and people that mirror your student population and/ or Teenshop.
5. Recognize and reward those who have made an outstanding contribution to equity and diversity at Teenshop.

America has made great strides by embracing and underscoring the importance of diversity; however, there is still more work to be done. Remember that Diversity is important, we all are related because we belong to the Human Race and finally

"No Man Is An Island
No Man Stands Alone
Each man's joy, is joy to me; Each man's grief is my own
We need one another; So we must defend
Each man as our brother
Each man as our friend!"

Biography

Dr. Rebecca Mitchell is a retired high school principal from the School District of Philadelphia. As an educator for the Philadelphia School District, she served as a Principal, Assistant Principal, English Teacher, Lead Teacher, Staff Development Leader, and a Middle States Accreditation Evaluator. In addition, Dr. Mitchell taught College English and Educational Administration courses at night and during the summer at Cheyney University, Lincoln University, Penn State University, Neumann College, Community College of Philadelphia, and at Abington Hospital School of Nursing throughout her teaching and administrative career. She is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Suburban Philadelphia Branch of the National Association of University Women, a member of the National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Dr. Mitchell has won numerous awards and commendations for her educational achievements and community service, including: The Commonwealth of PA Fellowship for Graduate Studies, The Desegregation Office Mini-Grant for Multi-Cultural Study, Semi-Finalist - Celebration of Excellence in Teaching Award, The Council for Basic Education Philadelphia Fellowship for Multi-Cultural Study, The International Reading Association/Philadelphia Council Award of Excellence in Literacy, and The PA Department of Education Award - Teacher Expectation/Student Achievement Program.

Dr. Mitchell has a Bachelor's, Masters, and Doctorate Degree in Education with an emphasis on English. She also holds a supervisory certification in English, a principal's certification and a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. She has been married to her retired school educator husband, Robert, for 41 years. She has two sons and three grandchildren.