“To be to others what we would they would be to us… To walk in the way of honor… Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.”

These words from the Creed of Phi Mu provide a guide for noble living and are just as important today as when they were written in 1916.

In 2016, Phi Mu’s National Council created five Ends Policies to set strategic priorities for our organization. The policy focused on diversity, equity and inclusion has become an immediate priority for the Fraternity.

As we continue this important work, this website will be updated with resources for our members and chapters.

Phi Mu’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In 2016, Phi Mu’s National Council created five Ends Policies to set strategic priorities for our organization. The policy focused on diversity, equity and inclusion has become an immediate priority for the Fraternity.

A DEI Strategic Plan Focus Group was formed in 2020 and the Phi Mu Fraternity DEI Strategic Plan was unveiled in April of 2021. The Focus Group was facilitated by Dr. Shirley Davis, the President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, Inc. Dr. Davis brought a unique background as a seasoned human resources and diversity and inclusion global thought leader. Her consulting fee was made possible through a generous grant from Phi Mu Foundation.

One of the many outcomes of the Focus Group’s work was writing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Position Statement:

Our core values of love, honor and truth, in principle and in practice, demand a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion throughout Phi Mu Fraternity. Our steadfast sisterhood is strong because all members are respected, valued and celebrated for who they are.

 

Diversity Equity and Inclusion National Committee

Following the work of the DEI Working Group and the creation of the DEI Strategic Plan, a permanent national committee has formed currently led by Annie Schutzler (Muhlenberg). The national committee will support the work of the staff to make Phi Mu a stronger, more inclusive organization. The staff partner is Diane Humphreys (Huntingdon).

Resources for Members

Fraternity DEI Articles:

Our Path to Progress: Working Toward a More Inclusive Sisterhood, Spring 2021 Aglaia

Becoming Our Best Selves: Addressing Diversity in Phi Mu, Fall 2020 Aglaia

Social Media Accounts:

This list was curated by Meg Zukin for Variety.

@BreeNewsome – Educational, wise, accessible and resourceful information focused on structural racism and white power structures

@ckyourprivilege – Guided journey that deepens your awareness to how your actions affect the mental health of Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color

@ebonyjanice – Resources, wisdom, memes, skin care tips and must-read book recommendations

@ethelsclub – Online social and wellness club dedicated to celebrating people of color

@equalitylabs – Workshop offerings, surveillance information and ways to help grassroots groups

@MsKellyMHayes – Crucial information for organizers and protestors as well as historical and educational resources

@nowhitesaviors – Ugandan advocacy campaign dedicated to disrupting traditional power structures between the Western world and the African continent

@rachel.cargle – Explores the intersection of race and womanhood, guides conversations, encourages critical thinking and nurtures meaningful engagement with people all over the world

@r29unbothered – Celebratory and educational and champion Black voices, Black art and Black women

@strongblacklead – Dedicated to publicizing and promoting Black talent and creators

@survivepunish – Organizes to de-criminalize efforts to survive domestic and sexual violence, support and free criminalized survivors and abolish gender violence, policing, prisons and deportations

Websites:

Anti-Racism for Beginners

Anti-Racism Resources – Rachel Ricketts

Anti-Racism Resources – Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein

Black Lives Matter Explained

Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources

Talking About Race

Books:

This list was curated by Sadie Trombetta for Bustle in 2018 and revised in June 2020. Additional book suggestions can be found here.

  • “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
  • “When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
  • “Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower” by Brittney Cooper
  • “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race” by Beverly Daniel Tatumer
  • “An African American and Latinx History of the United States” by Paul Ortiz
  • “The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority” by Ellen D. Wu
  • “Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race” by Debby Irving
  • “This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror” by Moustafa Bayoumi
  • “The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy” by Andrea Flynn, Susan R. Holmberg, Dorian T. Warren, and Felicia J. Wong
  • “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism” by Safiya Umoja Noble

There are also a variety of books available for children. For a list of these resources, you can visit this article in The New York Times and the Embrace Race website.

A Commitment to Do Better

We know that we are just getting started in this important work — it will take time to do well and this process will be gradual and ongoing. It will require honest, difficult conversations regarding parts of our history of which we are not proud. While we must address our past, we are committed to moving forward and continuing to make progress for the benefit of our members.

If you are interested in helping with this work, please reach out to info@phimu.org.