WDN 2021
SUMMIT SPonsoRS
GOLD
BRONZE
Contributors to the
Sustainability of wdn
mission
Statement
The Women’s Diversity Network (WDN) aka WDN Resource Center connects and mobilizes women and gender-expansive people of different backgrounds to create positive change through unity and collective work.
The goals of the WDN are:
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Educating our communities about issues and policies that challenge our unity
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Advocating collectively to breakdown barriers for improved inclusion and advocacy for all
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Celebrating our diverse backgrounds
In order for us to realize these goals, the WDN engages in activities, create events and promote actions that:
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Identify and provide services needed by women and their families
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Investigate and research issues of concern to women and their families
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Advocate for public policies at all levels of government that address women's issues
aboutus
Long Island is an exceptionally diverse place but still incredibly segregated. Many of the organizations have shared goals and are doing parallel work, but have been
working separately. The Women’s Diversity Network aims to bring organizations and community members together to create positive changes through a more unified sisterhood.
WDN Founder, Shanequa Levin realized the need for a diversity event as she often found herself to be the only Black woman surrounded by White women, or the room would be full of Black women with no White women in sight. After the 2016 election, this segregation became more evident. Shanequa was ready to make change, but did not want to repeat past mistakes made in regard to diversity in the
feminist movement. Shanequa’s solution was to create a platform where we could celebrate our diversity and take time to get to know one another so we could become more comfortable with each other, and use our collective power to stand up for injustice. She discussed her idea with her trusted colleagues and received the support and encouragement needed. In February 2017, the Women’s Diversity Network was born. In March of 2018, we held a sold-out event.
WDN is now comprised of many women and gender-expansive people from various communities and groups who are committed to WDN’s mission and goals. WDN has become a social movement organization practicing transformative justice processes based on group leadership where marginalized lives are centered.
HEALTH Equity
Maternal & Infant Health, in particular Alarmingly High Maternal Death Rates:
Women in the United States are dying from childbirth-related complications, regardless of race, economics or location at an alarming rate. The United States’ maternal mortality rate ranks 47th among developed nations, and it’s even worse for women of color. African-American women are three times more likely than other women to die from childbirth-related complications.
WEALTH EQUITY
$26.5 billion dollars are lost on Long Island due to the racial wage gap. One of the contributing factors is that women from under-resourced and underinvested communities are often among the lowest paid, particularly when compared to their more advantaged counterparts. As a result, many are forced to work multiple jobs to meet basic needs. These women frequently serve as the primary earners in their households, shouldering the bulk of financial responsibilities. Persistent wealth inequities both reflect and reinforce systemic barriers, underscoring the urgent need to invest in historically excluded communities.
RACIAL EQUITY
Racial Bias & Systemic Racism, in particular Policing & Community Safety:
Nation-wide systemic racism has shaped our criminal justice institutions toward discriminatory practices, building inequitable policies into their very foundations. Across the country, we have filled prisons with Black and brown people, and expanded policing and incarceration while defunding the very systems and programs that would address the root causes of “crime.” Long Island has an infamous history of racial segregation and the hyper-policing of Black and Latinx communities. For too long, our communities of color have been the victim of these practices while we fail to repair the harm caused to those left behind.
Gender EQUITY
Historically, society often deems females, transgender people, and nonbinary people as “weaker” or less important than males. Women, transgender people, and nonbinary people face gender wage gaps, occupational segregation, and are under-represented in political and economic decision-making processes. WDN is committed to empowering women and other marginalized groups, and to fighting for gender equality at home, in our communities, and in the workplace. We strive to empower women in all aspects of life.
OUR aDVOCACY AREAS
Contributors to the
Sustainability of wdn
Long Island Community Foundation
GRANTOR
Veatch Program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
GRANTOR
lYNN & jONAH Kaufman
GRANTOR
TD Charitable Foundation
GRANTOR
National Grid
GRANTOR
Four Leaf Federal Credit Union
GRANTOR
Fidelis Care
GRANTOR
The Junior League of Long Island
GRANTOR
Nassau County Bar Association
GRANTOR
Dana Lubin
PLATINUM FRIEND
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock Social Justice Committee
PLATINUM FRIEND
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock women's Group Board
GOLD FRIEND
Kathryn Abbatiello
SILVER FRIEND
eMILY kAUFMAN & tERRYL dOZIER
BRONZE FRIEND
Hughette ClarkE
BRONZE FRIEND
Deon Retemeyer
BRONZE FRIEND
Shawn Garrett
BRONZE FRIEND
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