SB's Statement on DEI: Making Westwood a Safe Place Free from Discrimination

Below is Westwood Minute's transcription of Select Board's recently adopted statement on diversity, equity and inclusion. The transcription is taken from Select Board's December 20, 2021 meeting where Human Rights Task Force Co-Chair Danielle Sutton read the statement aloud.  Along with co-chairing the task force, Ms. Sutton is also Director of Westwood's Youth & Family Services. 

Note that a formally issued copy of the statement may differ in punctuation and formatting from Westwood Minute's transcription of Ms. Sutton's oral reading. A video of Ms. Sutton reading the statement is available from Westwood Media Center here. 

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Beginning of transcription:

“We, the members of the Select Board, wish to make a statement in support of diversity, equity and inclusion in Westwood’s town government, schools, and community as a whole. We believe the following to be true about this town that we are so proud to serve.

Westwood is part of a nation founded upon the principles that all people are created equal and that each person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is up to all of us to move our community and country ever closer to these ideals for all people. 

One of the many strengths of our community is the fact that we are made up of individuals who are diverse in their ethnicities, racial backgrounds, spiritual and political beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, physical and neurological abilities and more.

The town of Westwood strives to be for all residents and community members a safe place where one is free from discrimination and able to grow into the best, most authentic version of oneself, and where we are committed to continuously learning and evolving through our connections to and mutual respect for each other and our community.

The Select Board welcomes and supports the various contributions of our diverse community, knowing that it is a source of the strength and character of our town. We wish to affirm our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all facets of our policies and practices. 

We have received significant support and encouragement from residents and with the creation of our Human Rights Task Force comprised of volunteers who share the same commitment. Together with the Human Rights Task Force, we are providing this statement to the town. 

We look forward to hearing how we can continue to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Westwood, not only from the Westwood Human Rights Task Force going forward, but also from any residents who would like to share their thoughts, ideas and perspectives on ways we can continue to improve our town. This work begins with each individual community member. Through our collective action, we can make real our ideals." 

End of transcription.

Updated 12/27/2021 at 12:22 p.m. An end-quote was added.

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