[HumanSer] {Disarmed} Fwd: Celebrating the Women in the Organized Blind Movement

[Merry Schoch]

Dear All,

I am a bit concerned and offended that our National office would use the  adjective“beautiful“ to describe the women to celebrate. Please see the email below. Haven’t women been portrayed or have been told to be portrayed as “Barbie dolls“ or beautiful. We talk a lot about inclusion and diversity but to me this is sexist! I’d love to hear what others think. Thank you!

Merry

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

> From: National Federation of the Blind <outreach at nfb.org>
> Date: March 13, 2021 at 4:52:10 PM EST
> To: Merry Schoch <merrys at verizon.net>
> Subject: Celebrating the Women in the Organized Blind Movement
> Reply-To: National Federation of the Blind <outreach at nfb.org>
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Celebrating Beautiful, Powerful, Wonderful Blind Women
> 
> “As those who identify as women who are blind, we live at this intersection that could be looked at from the outside as hard to navigate, but even though it gets tough at times, it’s never lonely.” From “We are Women and Sisters Forever” by Danielle McCann.
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind has a long history of exemplary leaders who happen to be blind and women. President Mark Riccobono spoke about many of these women who shaped the organized blind movement in his 2018 banquet speech “Authenticity, Diversity, and the Synergy of the Organized Blind.” This month is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating our mentors and friends who support the next generation of blind women leaders.
> 
> “Without the women in our movement, I do not know if I would have become as self-assured as I am today,” said Jennifer Kennedy in the Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog. “Federation leaders like Barbara Pierce and Sharon Maneki left a huge impression on me as I watched them during my scholarship mentoring sessions in 2001. They were well-spoken, impeccably dressed, and carried themselves with the poise and confidence I craved since becoming blind.”
> 
> Please join our celebration by giving a gift in honor of a woman who has helped you live the life you want. Your support will help the federation reach more blind children, students, and seniors and raise the expectations of the nation’s blind. You can give an honorary gift online at https://nfb.org/donate or by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2282.
> 
> Thank you for your support!
> 
>  
>  	 	 	 	 	 	
> National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314
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