The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in the Fourth Annual Diversity Luncheon on July 10 that will feature ethnic food. Here are the details in Q&A format:

• When/where will it be held?  July 10, in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge; lunch runs 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Who is providing the food? You, if you are willing to do so.
• What type of food should I bring? Anything that represents any part of your heritage.
• Can I attend the event even if I don’t bring food to share? Yes! This is open to all library employees, including students.
• How much food should I bring? That is up to you.
• Should I let DAC know if I’m bringing food? Yes, please contact Sheena at WaggonerS@missouri.edu and provide the name or type of dish and the estimated number of people it will serve.
• Where will the luncheon take place? In the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. There are plenty of outlets for slow cookers and a couple of microwave ovens.

• Do I need to do anything after I drop off my dish? Yes. We ask that you take responsibility for setting up the dish prior to the lunch period.
• Would it be okay for me to talk about my dish as people pass through the food line? Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it for anyone so inclined.
• Is this a legitimate DAC activity? Yes. One goal is to highlight the cultural diversity embodied by library employees.
• Does attendance during lunch count as release time? No, since this is a volunteer luncheon versus a workshop or program.
• But what about the food prep time? Yes, with supervisor approval.
• If possible, bring your own plates and flatware for a green and diverse lunch.

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, winning entries of the Saint Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center’s annual Art and Writing Competition will be displayed at Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus April 2-30. Each year middle and high school students from across the Midwest are invited to submit entries related to lessons of the Holocaust, persecution, intolerance and injustice. The winning entries will be presented in display cases in the Ellis library colonnade on the main floor. For more information about the Saint Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center or how to enter next year’s competition, please visit www.hmlc.org.

In addition, survivor Guenther Goldsmith will visit the University of Missouri to share his experiences during the Holocaust. Mr. Goldsmith survived the war by taking the last Kindertransport out of Germany to the United States. The event will be held at Ellis library on Tuesday, April 17 at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the University of Missouri Hillel, the MU Department of German and Russian Studies and the MU Libraries Diversity Action Committee. This program is open to the public.

Holocaust Remembrance Week Schedule

Tuesday, April 17, 2 p.m., Ellis Library

Holocaust survivor Guenter Goldsmith will be speaking about his experience in the Holocaust. There will be a Q&A and reception following his presentation.

Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m., Hillel

Professor Béa Gallimore will be leading a discussion about modern genocide following a screening of “Sometimes in April,” a film about the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m., Hillel

Cantorial soloist and composer Nancy Tunick will present “Songs for the Unsung,” a multimedia presentation about Christian rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust. A reception will follow her presentation.

Friday, April 20, 6 p.m., Hillel

Hillel will host a Holocaust remembrance Shabbat, followed by our weekly Shabbat dinner.

You are invited to a short presentation by Dr. Laurel Wilson on “Bronco Riding Women.” This will be an illustration of what these women did and wore while they lived as bronco riders. The event will take place at 12:00 p.m. on April 12 in front of the east display cabinet located in the colonnade area. Dr. Wilson is Professor & Curator of the Missouri Historic Costume & Textile Collection, Department of Textile and Apparel Management.

RSPV’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee invites you to learn to be a resource for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) and ally students, faculty and staff on campus. Safe Space is a training designed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to be an effective ally. This training session will be conducted by Struby Struble, coordinator of the LGBTQ Center. The session will take place March 29, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. room 4F51-A Ellis Library.

What is Safe Space? Participants in the training learn about the challenges of homophobia, campus resources, and how to be supportive to members of the LGBTQ community. At the conclusion of the training, participants have the option to display a Safe Space symbol as a signal to LGBTQ individuals that they maintain a safe and affirming environment. Homophobic and heterosexist comments, language, and actions will not be allowed in a Safe Space, but they will be addressed in an educational and informative manner.

The Safe Space symbol sends a message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, faculty, and staff that people displaying it are understanding and supportive resources for LGBTQ or ally individuals who are seeking help, advice or simply someone with whom they can talk. Those who identify as LGBTQ are members of often invisible minority groups and so are their allies and friends. The Safe Space Program is designed to help LGBTQ people identify supportive people and offices. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to become Safe Space allies in order to make the allies of the LGBTQ community more visible so that LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff can easily identify places where they can feel at ease because they know that they will not face discrimination due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

RSV’s are requested for head count purposes; send to Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu.

Thanks to all who attended and who brought food to the Third Tea/Snack event. A special thanks to MULSA for their sponsorship of the activity. As before, a few participants have asked me to send a note requesting recipes. If you are so inclined, please forward recipe info to me at agnewl@missouri.edu. Thanks.  Leo

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee invites you to learn to be a resource for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) and ally students, faculty and staff on campus. Safe Space is a training designed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to be an effective ally. This training session will be conducted by Struby Struble, coordinator of the LGBTQ Center. The session will take place March 29, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. room 4F51-A Ellis Library.

What is Safe Space? Participants in the training learn about the challenges of homophobia, campus resources, and how to be supportive to members of the LGBTQ community. At the conclusion of the training, participants have the option to display a Safe Space symbol as a signal to LGBTQ individuals that they maintain a safe and affirming environment. Homophobic and heterosexist comments, language, and actions will not be allowed in a Safe Space, but they will be addressed in an educational and informative manner.

The Safe Space symbol sends a message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, faculty, and staff that people displaying it are understanding and supportive resources for LGBTQ or ally individuals who are seeking help, advice or simply someone with whom they can talk. Those who identify as LGBTQ are members of often invisible minority groups and so are their allies and friends. The Safe Space Program is designed to help LGBTQ people identify supportive people and offices. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to become Safe Space allies in order to make the allies of the LGBTQ community more visible so that LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff can easily identify places where they can feel at ease because they know that they will not face discrimination due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

RSV’s are requested for head count purposes. Leo will send an Outlook meeting notice.

Four Women: A Conversation about Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Camilla Williams, and Mary J. Blige
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Ellis Library Colonnade

PRESENTERS: Dr. Maya Gibson, Assistant Professor, MU School of Music; Dr. Treva Lindsey, Assistant Professor, MU Women and Gender Studies, and Dr .Stephanie Shonekan, Assistant Professor, MU School of Music

DESCRIPTION: Nina Simone’s iconic 1966 song “Four Women” brilliantly highlights the roles that have defined (and confined) black women in the United States. Simone herself was an artist that broke through the boundaries of these stereotypes to create her own way, to define her own terms, and to ultimately establish herself as a distinctive voice in American music and culture. Reflecting on this legacy, three scholars discus the lives and work of three black female musicians: jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, opera diva Camilla Williams, and queen of hip-hop Mary J. Blige. The discussion will explore the contributions of these artists on the history of American music and culture.

Release time is available with supervisor approval. RSVP’s are not required.

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Also, don’t miss Naomi Tutu on Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. Tate Hall auditorium (room 22). Naomi is the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The title of her presentation is Now you have struck the women, you have struck A Rock: Women, Africa and the Diaspora Struggling for Justice.  Naomi will explore the roles women of Africa and the African Diaspora have played in the struggle for human rights.  Too often the story told of these women is as submissive objects of history. The truth is, throughout the world and throughout history, they have been actors and activists often leading the pace of change.

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on March 6 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. We invite library employees to contribute food associated with your cultural heritage.  If you choose to contribute food, please contact Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu with your dish name and approximate number of servings.  DAC and MULSA will also contribute items to make sure we have enough.

RSVP’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.